Best month to see the northern lights in Egilsstaðir

Month-by-month viewing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Egilsstaðir: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Egilsstaðir's season runs september to mid-april.

Egilsstaðir is the main town of east Iceland, inland from the fjords on Lake Lagarfljót. Sheltered from the Atlantic fronts that soak the south coast, it is one of the drier places on the island in winter.

Where to stand in Egilsstaðir

The lake shore south of town, or the road up onto the heath. Inland position is the advantage here — when the south coast is socked in, the east is often clear.

Tours & stays to book