In just a couple of weeks, the night sky could offer one of the most promising northern lights opportunities of the year—or even of the next several years—for viewers in the mid-latitudes.
The solar activity that drives the aurora is slowly decreasing as the sun passes the solar maximum of its 11-year cycle. This peak was reached in late 2024. This doesn’t mean that the lights will disappear overnight. A sweet spot to view the stars is mid-to-late March when several favorable circumstances overlap.
During both the spring and autumnal equinoxes—the former falling on March 20, 2026—the magnetic fields of the Earth and sun align in a way that makes it easier for charged solar particles to funnel into our magnetosphere. This statistically increased auroral activity is known as the Russell McPherron effects. It’s still not a 100% guarantee.
Jonny Cooper of Nordic travel agency says that it is only an enhancing factor, and not a trigger in itself. Off The Map Travel Creator of aurora forecasting app Aurora Buddy. “I’ve witnessed some amazing displays around equinoxes. I’ve also observed very little.” The strong northern lights seen at mid-latitudes require a solar event such as a coronal Mass Ejection that is aimed directly at Earth.
There is another advantage to March this year: darkness. A new moon on the night of March 18–19 will leave skies especially dark around the equinox, helping even faint auroras stand out more vividly.
If you don’t see the northern lights next month, however, all is not lost—the northern lights won’t be disappearing entirely as the sun moves toward solar minimum. After maximum solar activity, the sun tends to gradually decline. This means that strong displays are still possible at any time. “In high latitude regions such as the NordicsCooper says that “even lower-level activities can produce impressive displays” because you are directly beneath the auroral ovular. You just have to be in the correct place.
What’s the best time to watch the Northern Lights during March?
The two weeks around the equinox are the best time to plan. MarchThe seasonal magnetic effects are more likely to cause auroras. The darkest skies fall between March 11 and March 24 (the third quarter and first quarter moons)—even faint activity looks dramatically brighter under moonless skies. Plan to be outdoors between 10 p.m.-2 a.m. when auroral activities are typically the most intense, although strong storms can flare up earlier or late. You should choose a spot away from city lights and with little cloud cover.
What to expect in spring 2026 if you want to see the Northern Lights?
Head as far north as possible to maximize your chances of catching the aurora. Destinations at high latitudes, like Alaska, Iceland. northern NorwayThe ideal, but even the northern parts of the continental United States Can witness auroral displays
US getaways
Many northern US destinations sit just far enough north—and dark enough—to catch strong geomagnetic events. Kalispell, Montana pairs Glacier National Park Wide-open skys and scenery. Mackinac Island, MichiganAlthough a typical summer destination, there is low light pollution above Lake Huron. Duluth, MinnesotaThe perfect place to drive to the most dark areas on Lake Superior’s North Shore is. Out east, Lake Placid, New York, delivers dark Adirondack wilderness Within a few hours from New York or Boston. Fairbanks in Alaska is the best place to see auroras.
