Mythbuster: Contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be cold to see the aurora, just dark and clear.and clear skies usually mean it’s cold, hence the association between auroras and chilly nights. The winter months of October-thru-February are also good (there is definitely no shortage of darkness!). Statistically, the equinox months of September and March are best for aurora activity. Auroras can still be spotted south of about 50° latitude during the summer. During the summer months of May, June and July it is just too bright to see them in the far northland. These are the nights with darkness in them. Best Months?Īurora Borealis season in northern polar latitudes (Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia) runs from August-thru-April. The big question now is what will the upswing into Solar Cycle 25 present? Should get better & better as we head toward the predicted peak in 2025. Despite all the negative press the trough gets, I enjoyed the low phase and attained my goal of one “hero shot” per year ( 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020). The more sunspots, the more solar flare energy is being released into space (which means more aurora activity!).įor 400 years, from the time of Galileo until now, we have been keeping track of the number of these sunspots and, as the trends show in these two graphs, this cycle is predictable.Ī: We are just starting to come out of a 4-year trough of Solar Cycle 24. This is known as the solar cycle and is measured by the number of sunspots visible on the sun. Every eleven years or so it beats, and it beats hard.

If that same sunspot (or coronal hole) is still active it will have rotated around with the sun and will be, once again, in geoeffective position (pointing toward earth).and hosing us with an enhanced flow of aurora-generating solar wind. Therefore, sunspots, like those seen on this solar image to the left, are like a giant revolving firehose emitting energy into space for sometimes months at a time.Īfter an active aurora night, mark that date on a calendar and in 27-28 days pay close attention to the sky. On average, the sun revolves on its axis once every 27-28 days as seen from earth. This is a very helpful tool for predicting auroras. Your best chance to catch a glimpse of aurora will be during a clear dark night with a young moon.Northern Lights Forecast 27-Day Aurora Forecast Also, you can visit the Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area with dark skies and beautiful scenery. Most good locations to see aurora borealis are in Ashland and Bayfield counties.Īpostle Islands National Lakeshore featuring 21 islands and 12 mi (19 km) of Lake Superior coast is an ideal spot to go on an aurora borealis hunt. And Wisconsin coast also boasts quite a few scenic spots by the water where aurora enthusiasts can see the elusive lights. Lake Superior is one of the best locations for observing northern lights in the Midwest. Washington Island is another iconic spot in north Door County where locals enjoy the beautiful phenomenon on a regular basis. Visit Newport State Park, a designated dark-sky reserve in Wisconsin. Or you can move further north and see it near North Bay and Rowleys Bay. Aurora can be seen from an observation tower near Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay. Surrounded by waters of Green Bay on one side and Lake Michigan on the other side, Door County has dark skies and low light pollution, especially as you move north. Aurora Borealis by Lake Michiganĭoor County is the premier destination for aurora chasers in Wisconsin. Summer skies are quite dark in Wisconsin, so seeing aurora is a possibility. Autumn and spring are often experiencing solar storms so there are more chances to see aurora borealis. The season for aurora borealis in Northern Hemisphere generally runs from September through March. However, if you photograph the phenomenon with a long exposure, you can actually see more glow and colors on camera than with a naked eye. You will most probably see a faint green glow on the horizon which will not be as impressive as auroras in Alaska or Yukon. When you are expecting a solar storm that may cause auroras, try to get out of the city to minimize the impact of light pollution.

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