Best Spots For Viewing The Northern Lights In Alaska, Canada, And Us Destinations For Tourists This Weekend: All You Need To Know

Published on September 13, 2025

Tourists eager to acquisition nan breathtaking Northern Lights are successful for a dainty this weekend, arsenic geomagnetic storms are forecasted to heighten visibility successful cardinal destinations crossed Alaska, Canada, and parts of nan US The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that nan aurora borealis will beryllium visible to travelers arsenic acold southbound arsenic Minnesota, pinch nan champion opportunities to spot nan stunning ray show betwixt 10 PM and 2 AM (GMT – 5:00).

This weekend’s forecast comes arsenic solar activity continues to substance vibrant displays of nan aurora, creating a cleanable opportunity for tourists looking to witnesser 1 of nature’s astir awe-inspiring phenomena. The chance to drawback nan Northern Lights successful places for illustration Alaska, Ontario, and Washington presents a unsocial acquisition for tourism successful these northern regions, known for their natural beauty and outdoor escapade offerings.

Where Can Tourists See nan Northern Lights?

According to NOAA’s geomagnetic activity forecast, nan Northern Lights will beryllium astir visible successful northern Canada and Alaska. However, this weekend’s heightened activity is expected to widen nan aurora’s visibility to southern regions including Minnesota, Washington, and parts of Maine. The champion viewing times for nan aurora borealis are aft sunset and earlier sunrise, and tourists are encouraged to activity high vantage points pinch minimal ray contamination for nan champion chance of seeing nan lights.

Top Viewing Destinations: Alaska, Canada, and US Locations

• Alaska: As nan Northern Lights are astir often visible successful Alaska, tourists will person fantabulous opportunities to drawback nan lights crossed nan state. Fairbanks and Anchorage are known for accordant aurora sightings, making them apical destinations for adventure tourism and natural wonders.
• Canada: Yukon, Ontario, and parts of Quebec connection immoderate of nan champion views of nan aurora borealis. Yellowknife, successful nan Northwest Territories, is renowned for its clear skies and predominant aurora displays. For tourists, this region remains a bucket-list destination for northern lights tourism.
• United States: Minnesota and Washington are among nan US states wherever nan Northern Lights whitethorn beryllium visible this weekend. Voyageurs National Park successful Minnesota is particularly known for its aurora sightings, providing a serene, earthy mounting for nature tourism.

Photography Tips for Tourists: Capturing nan Aurora Borealis

For tourists hoping to photograph nan Northern Lights, mentation is cardinal to capturing nan champion shots. Photographers should usage a wide-angle lens and group nan aperture to f/4 aliases little to let arsenic overmuch ray successful arsenic possible. It is basal to attraction nan camera to infinity to seizure sharp, clear images of nan aurora. For those utilizing smartphones, enabling night mode and stabilizing nan telephone connected a tripod will output nan champion results.

Tourists tin besides make nan astir of their Northern Lights viewing experience by combining it pinch different outdoor activities successful these adventure tourism destinations. Whether it’s a winter hike successful Alaska, a cultural circuit successful Canada, aliases a nighttime snowshoe trek successful Minnesota, travelers tin bask a scope of outdoor experiences while witnessing nan mesmerizing show of colors successful nan sky.

Impact connected Local Tourism and Economy

The continued entreaty of nan Northern Lights arsenic a tourism attraction has important economical implications for Alaska, Canada, and nan US Northern states. Tourists visiting these regions to witnesser nan aurora often widen their stays to research nan area’s earthy beauty, contributing to nan maturation of winter tourism. For tourism businesses successful Fairbanks, Yellowknife, Minnesota, and Washington, nan influx of travelers seeking nan Northern Lights helps thrust gross for hotels, restaurants, and section circuit operators.

In Alaska, for example, nan tourism manufacture has agelong capitalized connected nan Northern Lights, offering sightseeing tours, local accommodations, and moreover ice sportfishing experiences nether nan aurora. Similarly, regions successful Canada, for illustration nan Yukon, person developed tourism packages that attraction connected some nan Northern Lights and section Indigenous culture, creating a unsocial offering for cultural tourism enthusiasts.

The Role of Solar Activity successful nan Northern Lights Phenomenon

The Northern Lights, besides known arsenic nan aurora borealis, are caused by solar activity, specifically solar flares and coronal wide ejections. When these particles collide pinch Earth’s atmosphere, they create nan beautiful, glowing lights seen successful nan polar regions. The Kp index, a measurement of geomagnetic activity, is often utilized to foretell aurora visibility. A Kp scale of four aliases higher intends nan aurora tin beryllium seen further south, making this an breathtaking clip for tourists successful bluish US and Canada.

With star activity peaking successful late 2024 and into 2026, nan coming years are expected to connection progressively predominant and aggravated aurora displays, making nan Northern Lights a awesome tie for tourists successful Alaska, Canada, and different bluish locations.

A Must-See Tourism Experience

For tourists seeking a genuinely unforgettable recreation experience, nan Northern Lights should beryllium astatine nan apical of nan list. Whether walking to Alaska, Canada, aliases Minnesota, nan show of nan aurora offers a mesmerizing and unsocial measurement to link pinch nature. As solar activity continues to increase, tourists tin look guardant to moreover much opportunities to witnesser this earthy wonderment successful 2025 and beyond.

Travelers are encouraged to cheque section forecasts, scheme accordingly, and return advantage of this stunning arena while supporting section tourism successful these iconic destinations.

Source: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental