Month-by-month viewing quality
| Month | Viewing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| February | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| March | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| April | Good | Plenty of darkness; solid odds |
| May | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| June | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| July | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| August | Good | Plenty of darkness; solid odds |
| September | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| October | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| November | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| December | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
Why these months?
Two things decide your odds in Sodankylä: 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. Sodankylä's season runs september to early april.
Sodankylä hosts a geophysical observatory that has measured the aurora and Earth's magnetic field for over a century — fittingly clear, dark and quiet.
Where to stand in Sodankylä
Anywhere outside the small village; the observatory area and the Kitinen riverbanks are reliably dark.
Tours & stays to book
Northern lights tours from Sodankylä
Viator · guided tours · from $75
Aurora chases & photo tours in Sodankylä
GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $75
Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Sodankylä
Booking.com · lodging