Add organization

    Where in Finland are you most likely to see the northern lights?

    How the chance of auroras changes from Kilpisjärvi to Helsinki.

    Answered at: Checked at:

    Short answer

    Northern Lapland gives the best odds. The Finnish Meteorological Institute puts the chance of auroras on a dark, cloudless night at about 75% at Kilpisjärvi and roughly 50% at Lapland resorts such as Ylläs, Levi and Saariselkä. Further south the chance drops quickly, to about once a month in Helsinki.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. FMI gives a statistical probability of about 75% of dark, cloudless nights at Kilpisjärvi.
    2. For Ylläs, Levi and Saariselkä the FMI figure is roughly 50% of such nights.
    3. According to FMI, Sodankylä has auroras every second night and Helsinki about once a month.

    Details

    These are chances for nights that are already dark and clear. Cloud cover is the main reason travellers miss auroras even in the best places.

    Tip

    Get away from town lights. Even a short walk to a lake shore or a fell top makes faint auroras easier to see.

    What may differ

    Strong geomagnetic storms can bring auroras to the whole of Finland and further south, but they are rare and hard to predict.

    Common misconception

    Rovaniemi is the best place in Finland for northern lights.

    What actually happens

    Rovaniemi is a good base, but the chances grow further north, around Kilpisjärvi, Inari and Utsjoki.

    People also ask

    • Is Levi good for northern lights?
    • Is Rovaniemi or Saariselkä better for auroras?
    • Where is the best place for northern lights in Lapland?

    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
    Help