WildCapture Icon
WildCapture
Wildshots

Solar maximum: Northern Lights viewing at its best

Northern Lights rainbow in the starry sky

Experience the Northern Lights like never before in Norway

Solar Maximum Cycle 25 is now underway — and it’s already producing the most dazzling auroras in over a decade.

For centuries, the aurora borealis has captivated photographers and explorers alike. Colours ripple across the Arctic sky in a spectacle that feels otherworldly.

Now, with the Sun in its most active phase, the chance to witness vibrant auroras has never been better. This is the ideal moment to turn that dream into reality.

Our Norway expeditions place you in the perfect position to experience and photograph the aurora at its most vivid. With expert guides and stunning landscapes, every night offers the potential for magic.

What causes the Northern Lights — and why now matters

The aurora borealis occurs when solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field near the poles. Carried by solar winds, these particles collide with gases high in the atmosphere, releasing light in flowing curtains and arcs.

This display is driven by the Sun’s 11-year solar cycle. During solar maximum, the Sun produces more sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections. These events send more charged particles toward Earth, fuelling stronger auroras.

Visible light images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory highlight the appearance of the Sun at solar minimum (left, Dec. 2019) versus solar maximum (right, August 2024). During solar minimum, the Sun is often spotless. Sunspots are associated with solar activity, and are used to track solar cycle progress. Credit: NASA/SDO

Solar Cycle 25 began in December 2019 and is already more active than expected. That means more frequent and vivid Northern Lights — especially at high latitudes.

According to solar physicist Pål Brekke, auroral activity often peaks a few years after solar maximum. So the best viewing may continue into 2026 and 2027.

The Solar Cycle 25 forecast, produced by the Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel. Sunspot number is an indicator of solar cycle strength – the higher the sunspot number, the stronger the cycle. Credit: NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center
On October 3, 2024, the Sun emitted a strong solar flare. As of this date, this solar flare is the largest of Solar Cycle 25 and is classified as an X9.0 flare. X-class denotes the most intense flares, while the number provides more information about its strength. Credit: NASA/SDO

Why view northern lights in Arctic Norway?

While strong auroras can reach as far south as the Mediterranean, consistent sightings happen between latitudes 60˚ and 75˚. This is the auroral zone — the most reliable region for Northern Lights displays.

Northern Norway sits perfectly within this zone. Here, Arctic landscapes meet the lights in dramatic fashion — fjords, mountain peaks, and frozen coastlines all add depth to your images.

Our team has explored this region for over a decade, guiding hundreds of aurora chasers across Vesterålen and Lofoten. Their experience ensures every trip is special — even when conditions shift.

The maps show the intensity and the location of the auroral ovals for a given time given the northern and the southern hemisphere. Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

Weather can be unpredictable

Weather in the far north can be unpredictable. That’s why we design our trips with flexibility built in. If skies cloud over in one location, we move — chasing clearer conditions nearby.

Based in both Leknes and Sortland, we can quickly shift between coastal and inland areas. These regions offer different microclimates and better chances for clear nights.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Northern Norway enjoys relatively mild winters. Average temperatures around -5˚C make it more comfortable than many other aurora destinations.

Feeling Inspired? Let’s Chase the Lights

With Solar Cycle 25 in full swing, the aurora season is off to an incredible start — and it’s only getting better.

Join one of our small-group photography tours in Norway and experience the magic of the northern lights up close. With expert guidance, flexible planning, and world-class scenery, this is your chance to capture something unforgettable.

Feeling inspired? Explore our upcoming trips and chase the northern lights.

Wild Capture
Sign up for updates – we’ll only send the good stuff.
© Copyright 2025 – terrysteeley.com. All Rights Reserved.