Best month to see the northern lights in Abisko

Month-by-month viewing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Abisko: 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. Abisko's season runs late september to late march.

Abisko has a near-mythical reputation for clear skies. A rain-shadow effect from the surrounding mountains creates a "blue hole" of clear sky over Lake Torneträsk even when everywhere around it is clouded in — which is why serious aurora photographers base here. The Aurora Sky Station chairlift is the signature experience.

Where to stand in Abisko

The Aurora Sky Station (a chairlift ride above the treeline) is purpose-built for this; in the village, the lakeshore and the STF turiststation are easy dark spots. The "blue hole" means Abisko is often your best cloud bet in all of Scandinavia.

Tours & stays to book