Northern Lights Tonight: Why This Evening Is Your Best Chance Before the School Holidays

I know what you're thinking. You opened Instagram this morning and your feed was completely taken over by green and purple swirls over Viborg, North Jutland, and all over the country. “Did you also miss it?” Yeah, most of us did. While folks up north were sharing pictures of what looked like an almost scarily intense phenomenon, the rest of us were fast asleep.

But hang on, because I've got good news for you. Your cold war with the northern lights is officially over. If you're dreaming of ticking this experience off your list, you need to be on it Friday evening. I've been keeping a close eye on the solar wind over the past few days, and all signs point to another round – possibly even stronger than last night.

Why you should keep your eyes on the sky tonight

It's rare that we get to see the northern lights in Denmark without having to book a flight to Tromsø. But when geomagnetic storms hit our exact latitude, it's all about timing. Last night there was activity, but tonight I'm expecting the window to be longer. An old weather expert who knows his space weather mentioned to me that we should be looking north from 8pm if the sky stays clear.

This is where it gets interesting for those of us who want more than just a backyard experience. Let's be honest: Northern lights tonight are a gift, but if you're dreaming of the ultimate adventure, then we need to talk about going all in.

From the backyard to an Arctic Adventure: 5 days in Norway

I've always said that the northern lights in Denmark are the aperitif, but the real feast is in Norway. Right now, I'm seeing a trend, especially among readers here in North Jutland, of booking package deals. I'm not talking about a boring bus with 50 other tourists. I'm talking about that 5-day private Norway Arctic Adventure - Northern Lights that gives you the freedom to explore under the Norwegian stars.

Imagine this instead:

• Private guide – the one who knows exactly where the snow crunches and the sky is clearest, without you having to share the view with a bunch of strangers.
• Wilderness cabin – where you can wake up to silent snowfall and have the aurora borealis right above your roof.
• The contrast with Alaska – many people ask me about the difference between Norway and, say, the classic Northern Lights and Hot Springs Day Tour from Fairbanks. Both are magical, but Norway has the advantage of combining it with a city break in Tromsø or Bergen without the jet lag. Chena is wild, but Norway is right on your doorstep.

I went on a 5-day trip myself last winter, and I can tell you it's a whole different league compared to freezing in a car park back home. No offence to the car park – but let's call a spade a spade. Once you've stood in the snow with a thermos of mulled wine and watched the lights dance over a fjord with no light pollution, it's hard to go back.

How to make the most of your chance (both tonight and in the long run)

If you want to get the most out of it, it's all about being prepared. Here's my quick guide, based on ten years in the game:

• Check your GPS: Get away from the city lights. A five-minute drive outside Aalborg or Aarhus can make a world of difference.
• Northern lights tonight require patience: Sleep on the sofa with your blanket ready. It rarely shows up exactly at 9pm.
• Dreaming of Norway? Then check out those 5-day private tours. The price might seem steep, but once you're there with a private guide and camera gear, you'll understand why. It's an investment in a memory that will last a lifetime.

So turn off Netflix tonight. Get the thermal underwear out. The northern lights gave us a sneak peek last night, but the show's not over yet. And remember: if you really want the guarantee, you know where to go. Norway is waiting.