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    Can you see the northern lights in Finland in summer?

    Why the light summer nights hide auroras and when the season restarts.

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    Short answer

    Not in practice. Auroras happen all year, but you need a dark sky to see them. In northern Finland the midnight sun lasts up to 73 days, and even in Helsinki the summer nights stay light. The season restarts in late August or September, when nights in Lapland get dark again.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says the midnight sun lasts 73 days a year in the northernmost part of Finland.
    2. Visit Finland says the aurora season restarts in September and builds through October.
    3. According to Visit Finland, Helsinki stays light until midnight and beyond around the summer solstice.

    Details

    From late August the first dark hours return to Lapland. Early-season auroras can be reflected in unfrozen lakes, which is popular with photographers.

    Tip

    If you travel in summer, enjoy the midnight sun instead and plan an aurora trip for September or later.

    What may differ

    Very strong displays are occasionally reported in August in the north, but nights still need to be dark enough.

    Common misconception

    Auroras only exist in winter.

    What actually happens

    Auroras occur all year. Summer light simply makes them invisible to the eye.

    People also ask

    • Can you see northern lights in August in Finland?
    • When does the aurora season start in Finland?
    • Are there northern lights in June?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute before you travel.

    Weather & Seasons
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