The northern lights are expected to be stronger in 2025 than they have been in at least a decade. Thanks to a peak in solar activity, the celestial phenomenon will continue to be particularly active into the upcoming year. This makes 2025 a great time to book an aurora-chasing trip to destinations like Iceland or the tip of Norway. Even if you can’t make the journey, the good news is that the magical display will also be appearing closer to home for many. This article explores why 2025 will be a bumper year for northern lights sightings and highlights the best places in Europe to see them.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are vivid ribbons of red, green, and magenta caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the Earth’s atmosphere. When these particles reach the Earth, they are channeled towards the polar regions by the planet’s magnetic field. This means that the phenomenon is typically only seen over the Arctic Circle in the northern hemisphere. The article discusses the science behind the northern lights and why they are such a captivating natural wonder.
In November 2023, the northern lights were visible much further south than usual, glowing in colors like magenta and fuschia across Europe. This was due to a strong aurora borealis spectacle caused by a large eruption on the surface of the sun. The arrival of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) can cause the aurora to expand, bringing the lights to lower latitudes. The ethereal skies lit up in a sensational range of colors, with photographers capturing the spectacle as far south as Italy and Greece. The article explains how these colorful displays depend on which gas molecules are hit and their location in the atmosphere.
The northern lights are expected to be stronger this year due to increased solar activity, translating into brighter aurora displays. Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic field completely flips, resulting in a peak in solar activity which is currently occurring between 2024 and 2025. This has led to a dramatic increase in ‘sunspots’, indicating how active the sun is. As a result, the northern lights are currently looking stronger than they have in at least a decade, making it an opportune time to witness this natural phenomenon in its full splendor.
When it comes to the best places to see the northern lights in 2025, clear skies and minimal light pollution are essential. Finland’s Lapland region, Tromsø in Norway, Abisko in Sweden, and Thingvellir National Park in Iceland are highlighted as some of the top spots to experience the aurora borealis. Jokkmokk in Sweden is recommended for its combination of celestial sightings with learning about Sami culture and traditions. Due to the intense phase of solar activity, northern lights displays have been more visible in countries like the UK, Germany, and Italy as well. Additionally, travelers are advised to seek out International Dark Sky Parks for optimal viewing conditions, such as Northumberland in the UK.
