The aurora is in the sky all year, but you can only see it when the sky is dark. In Iceland that means from about mid-September to the end of March. From April to August the nights are too bright, and in June the sun barely sets at all.
Within the season, the darkest months are November, December and January, when Reykjavík gets only four to six hours of daylight. That gives you the longest window each night. September, October and March have shorter nights, but the weather is often milder, the roads are easier, and many guests find them the most comfortable months to travel.
Three things decide whether you see the lights: cloud, darkness and solar activity.
Cloud is the one that matters most. Even a strong aurora is invisible behind thick cloud, so the first thing we check every evening is the cloud forecast from the Icelandic Met Office and several other sources. It shows where the sky is expected to be clear.
Darkness comes next. City lights wash out a faint aurora, so we drive out of Reykjavík to somewhere dark. A full moon also brightens the sky, though a strong display still shows through it.
Solar activity is shown as the Kp index, on a scale from 0 to 9. It is a moderately reliable indication of solar wind intensity, although there are limitations due to it being a global average and time smoothing. In Iceland a Kp of 2 or 3 is often enough to see the lights on a clear night. A high Kp with thick clouds is worth less than a low Kp under a clear sky. It is often useful as a reference point but rarely a sole determining factor.
A hunt usually starts after dinner and lasts around four hours. Your guide looks at the cloud and aurora forecasts and picks a direction, often changing plans on the way as the clouds move. There is no fixed spot. Some nights the lights show up twenty minutes out of town, other nights we drive further to find a gap in the cloud.
When the aurora comes out, it usually starts as a pale green arc low on the horizon. On a good night it spreads across the sky, moves quickly and shows bands of pink or purple along the lower edge.
Because the lights depend on the weather, the more nights you have, the better your chances. We suggest planning at least three or four nights outside the city lights during the season. On a longer trip around the country, every night in the countryside is a chance to see them, often straight from your hotel. Some hotels provide northern lights call service as well.
Phones have become surprisingly good at it. Use night mode and rest the phone on something steady. With a camera, you need a tripod, a wide lens, manual focus set to infinity and an exposure of a few seconds. Our guides are happy to help you set it up on the night.
Even in a mild month, standing still outside at night gets cold. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves and boots with a good grip. We bring hot chocolate.
The northern lights are a natural event, and sightings are not guaranteed. However, every trip offers the opportunity to enjoy Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, unique adventures, and changing winter scenery, which makes the journey rewarding whatever the night sky may bring.
Planning a winter trip? Tell us your dates and we will build in the best nights for the lights. Plan your trip
Related: The northern lights, Private group trips, Honeymoon in Iceland
]]>Here is what each month is usually like, and what it is good for.
Daylight: about 5 to 7 hours in Reykjavík
The first proper winter month. Nights are long and conducive to northern lights hunting, and the ice cave season starts once the glaciers have cooled down. Snow comes and goes, so the landscape can be white one week and dark green and black the next. Hotels and roads are quieter than in October.
Daylight: about 4 to 5 hours
The darkest month, and the busiest around Christmas and New Year. The sun rises late and sets early, so the light stays low and soft all day, which photographers love. Reykjavík has Christmas markets, the Yule Lads and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Book well ahead for the holidays.
Daylight: about 4 to 6 hours
Often the most wintry month, with the best chance of snow-covered landscapes and frozen waterfalls. Ice caves are usually at their best, and the long nights give plenty of time for the northern lights. Storms are more common, we often adapt our plans to changing weather conditions.
Daylight: about 7 to 9 hours
The days lengthen quickly. You still get dark nights for the northern lights and good ice caves, with more daylight for sightseeing and driving. A good month for a longer winter trip around the south coast.
Daylight: about 10 to 12 hours
Days and nights are close to equal by the end of the month. There is still a chance of the northern lights early in the evening and late at night, and snow on the mountains, with much more time in the day to explore. Ice caves can stay open into March, depending on the glacier.
The ring road along the south coast is kept open through the winter, though storms can close it for a day or two. Mountain roads into the Highlands are closed until summer. Daylight limits how far you can drive comfortably in a day, so winter routes cover less ground than summer ones. For a more relaxed travel experience, guided tours are especially recommended during the winter months, when changing weather and road conditions can make travel more challenging.
Northern lights hunts, ice caves under the glaciers, glacier hikes, snowmobiling, hot springs and geothermal lagoons in the snow, and the south coast and Golden Circle with fewer people than in summer. See the northern lights, ice caves, glacier hiking and snowmobiling.
Warm layers rather than one big coat, a windproof and waterproof outer layer, a hat, gloves, warm socks and boots with a good grip. Ice spikes for your shoes are useful for icy paths. A swimsuit for the lagoons.
Winter weather in Iceland can change within the hour. The best winter trips leave a little room in the plan, so a stormy morning can become a lazy lagoon afternoon and a clear night becomes a northern lights hunt.
Thinking about a winter trip? Tell us your dates and what you would like to see, and we will plan the days around the light and the weather. Plan your trip
Related: Private tours, Self drive
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