If you’ve been reading headlines about Solar Maximum coming to an end, you might be wondering if you’ve missed your chance to see the Northern Lights.
The short answer?
Not even close.
While the Sun may be settling down after one of its busiest periods in over a decade, the Northern Lights aren’t going anywhere. In fact, if you’re planning a trip to Abisko over the next few years, you still have every reason to be excited.
Let us explain why.
What is Solar Maximum?
Every eleven years or so, the Sun goes through a natural cycle of activity.
During Solar Maximum, the Sun produces more sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These eruptions send charged particles racing toward Earth, increasing the chances of seeing strong auroral displays. It’s the reason the last couple of winters have produced so many incredible photographs from around the world.
But here’s the important part: Solar Maximum doesn’t create the Northern Lights. It simply increases how often very strong displays happen. Even during Solar Minimum, auroras still occur.
There’s another important point that’s often overlooked. Although Solar Maximum has now officially passed, the Sun doesn’t suddenly switch off. The solar cycle rises and falls gradually, rather than changing overnight.
Last winter marked the peak of Solar Maximum, but the season before that was also exceptional. In fact, we witnessed countless incredible aurora displays well before reaching the peak of the cycle.
If the solar cycle behaves as expected, this coming season should look much more like that previous winter than a true Solar Minimum. In other words, we’re still close enough to the peak to enjoy many of the benefits of an active Sun.
The biggest myth about the Northern Lights
One of the biggest misconceptions we see online is that once Solar Maximum ends, the aurora disappears and that’s simply not true. Better yet, the Sun is still incredibly active. Even now, it’s producing enormous sunspots capable of generating powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These are exactly the ingredients needed for impressive auroral displays.
So while we may no longer be standing at the very peak of the solar cycle, we’re certainly not entering a quiet period overnight.
Why Abisko has always been special
If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know we don’t spend every evening talking about KP indexes. Instead, we spend our time looking at something much more important: The weather.
After all, even the strongest aurora in the world isn’t much use if it’s hidden behind thick clouds.
The Blue Hole of Abisko
One of the biggest reasons people travel from all over the world to visit Abisko is something known as the Blue Hole of Abisko.
Thanks to the surrounding mountains, Lake Torneträsk and the unique local climate, clouds often break apart as they pass over the national park. As a result Abisko regularly enjoys clearer skies than many surrounding destinations.
That’s why photographers, scientists and aurora hunters have been returning here for decades.
We don’t wait for the aurora. We go looking for it
At Lights Over Lapland, we don’t simply stand outside and hope for the best.
Every evening our guides study:
- Local weather forecasts
- Satellite cloud imagery
- Aurora forecasts
- Wind conditions
- Mountain weather
Then we decide where the best viewing conditions are likely to be.
Sometimes that’s beside Lake Torneträsk.
Sometimes it’s in a teepee in the middle of the wilderness.
Sometimes it’s somewhere completely different.
Having the flexibility to move gives our guests another advantage, especially on nights when conditions vary across the region.This flexibility is at the heart of many of our adventures. Whether you head out on our popular Ultimate Aurora Photo Adventure, join our Abisko Aurora Chase, or book one of our fully customised Private Aurora Escapes, every evening begins the same way: by asking one simple question…
Where are the best conditions tonight?
From there, our guides use years of local experience, weather forecasts and aurora data to create the best possible evening under the Arctic sky.
Great auroras don’t have to be extreme
While we all love those spectacular, headline-making geomagnetic storms, they’re far from the only nights worth experiencing. Even during seasons with more moderate solar activity, beautiful auroras appear regularly.
Though we are absolutely excited when they happen, some of our favourite nights aren’t the biggest solar storms. They’re the calm evenings where green lights slowly dance across a perfectly clear Arctic sky with guests shouting their excitement. Because seeing your first display of the Northern Lights isn’t about chasing records. It’s about experiencing something completely new and magical.
Should I still visit after Solar Maximum?
Absolutely. Not only are we still benefiting from a highly active Sun, but we’re also fortunate that Abisko has always offered something many destinations can’t: consistently excellent viewing conditions.
In fact, we believe Abisko will continue to be one of the world’s best places to experience the Northern Lights for exactly the same reasons it always has:
- A unique Arctic microclimate
- Exceptionally clear skies
- Decades of local experience
- Flexible aurora chasing
- Stunning natural scenery
Solar activity will always go up and down but Abisko isn’t going anywhere.
Which aurora adventure is right for you?
No matter where we are in the solar cycle, our goal remains the same: helping you experience the Northern Lights in the best conditions possible.
That can mean travelling in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle to one of our favourite viewing locations, heading out with a professional photography guide to capture your first aurora image, or enjoying a completely private itinerary designed around your group, there’s an adventure to suit every traveller.
Some of our most popular aurora experiences include:
- Ultimate Aurora Photo Adventure – A smaller-group experience led by professional photography guides, complete with camera equipment, warm Arctic clothing and expert guiding.
- Abisko Aurora Chase – Our classic aurora chasing adventure, perfect for first-time visitors looking for an exciting evening under the Arctic sky.
- Private Aurora Escape – A fully private multi-day experience where every evening is dedicated to giving your group the best possible chance of witnessing the Northern Lights.
For a full overview of available activities during your visit, we highly recommend you check-out Activity Calendar. If you’re looking for a fully planned trip with activities and accommodation, explore our Aurora Holiday Packages here.
Regardless of which adventure you choose, one thing stays the same: we’ll always go where the conditions are best.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been wondering whether you’ve missed your chance because Solar Maximum is coming to an end, don’t worry. The Northern Lights aren’t disappearing, and neither is everything that makes Abisko one of the world’s best places to see them. We’re also still close enough to Solar Maximum to expect many fantastic aurora displays in the seasons ahead.
Our unique microclimate, famously clear skies, decades of local experience, and flexible approach to aurora chasing have helped guests experience unforgettable nights beneath the Arctic sky for years. And they’ll continue to do so long after this solar cycle has passed.
After all, we’ve never relied on the Sun alone.
We’ve always relied on knowing where to find the clearest skies.
And that’s something no solar cycle can change. 💚
