Best month to see the northern lights in Fairbanks

Month-by-month viewing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Fairbanks: 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 March and October and February tend to edge out the dead of winter. Fairbanks's season runs late august to mid-april.

Fairbanks sits squarely under the auroral oval and, crucially, in Alaska's dry interior — far from the coastal clouds that plague seaside spots. That combination gives it some of the most reliable aurora viewing anywhere, and the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute runs the forecast the whole world reads.

Where to stand in Fairbanks

Drive out of the city to Cleary Summit, Murphy Dome, or the Chena Hot Springs road — soak in the hot springs while you wait. The interior's dry air means clear nights are common.

Tours & stays to book