Step 2: Choosing the Right Location

Even with strong Aurora activity, your viewing location is crucial.

✔ Avoid light pollution – Stay away from city lights, street lamps, and roads with heavy traffic.
✔ Seek open spaces – Wide landscapes, frozen lakes, or fjords provide an unobstructed view of the sky.
✔ Get off main roads – Car headlights can ruin night vision and affect long-exposure photography.
✔ Choose locations with multiple exit routes – In case of sudden weather changes, you’ll need an alternative spot.
✔ Head to higher ground – Elevated locations reduce the risk of ground fog and low-lying cloud cover.

🌍 Pro Tip: Some well-known Aurora hotspots often suffer from persistent cloud cover due to microclimates. Before committing to a location, check historical weather patterns.

Step 3: Being Fully Prepared

Aurora chasing often means long nights in extreme cold and unpredictable weather. Being well-prepared is essential.

✔ Dress appropriately – Wear multiple layers, insulated boots, gloves, and a warm hat.
✔ Pack a thermos with hot drinks – Staying warm and hydrated is important for endurance.
✔ Carry extra batteries – Cold temperatures drain camera and phone batteries quickly.
✔ Have a full tank of fuel – Remote locations may not have petrol stations nearby.
✔ Bring emergency supplies – Blankets, a flashlight, food, and a first-aid kit can be lifesavers.
✔ Know the local road conditions – Ice, snowdrifts, and wildlife crossings can create challenges.
✔ Travel with others if possible – Having company adds both safety and enjoyment to the experience.

🌍 Safety First: If you’re in an isolated Arctic location, ensure you have mobile reception, a GPS device, or a satellite communicator in case of emergencies.

Step 4: Staying Patient & Observant

Patience is one of the most important traits of a successful Aurora chaser. Sometimes, the Northern Lights appear for only a few minutes, while other nights offer hours of continuous activity.

✔ Don’t leave too soon – The Aurora often starts faint before building in intensity.
✔ Look for faint bands of white or grey – The human eye may not perceive the green immediately, but a camera will detect it.
✔ Use your camera as a diagnostic tool – A long-exposure shot will reveal even weak Auroras.
✔ Stick with a location if you have clear skies – Constantly driving can result in missing a sudden outburst.
✔ Remember, Auroras can flare up suddenly – Even if activity seems weak at first, it can rapidly intensify.

🌍 Key Insight: Many people give up too soon. The best Aurora displays often happen in short bursts between long periods of faint activity.

Step 5: Adapting to Unexpected Situations

Despite all efforts, weather conditions can change rapidly, and the Aurora may not appear as expected.

✔ Have a Plan B – If your original location is cloudy, know where to go next.
✔ Check road conditions frequently – Sudden snowfall or ice can make certain routes dangerous.
✔ Be flexible – If forecasts indicate clearer skies an hour’s drive away, it may be worth making the journey.
✔ Know when to call it a night – If visibility is poor and conditions are worsening, safety should come first.

🌍 Smart Chasing: The best Aurora hunters don’t just rely on forecasts—they read satellite imagery, follow wind patterns, and adapt in real time.

Step 6: The Thrill of the Chase – A Real-Life Example

One particularly memorable Aurora chase occurred when I was in Inari, Finland. The forecast was poor, with heavy cloud cover across the region. However, after studying satellite images and wind patterns, I noticed a potential break in the clouds near Lakselv, Northern Norway.

I asked my group if they were willing to drive three hours north, through snowstorms and unpredictable Arctic weather. With full enthusiasm, we set off.

Several hours later, as if by magic, the sky erupted in a magnificent Aurora display. Even our experienced Finnish driver was astonished, asking, “How did you know?”

This experience highlighted the importance of planning, patience, and persistence—sometimes, going the extra mile makes all the difference.