Northern lights tonight: Why this evening is your best chance before the winter break

I know what you're thinking. You opened Instagram this morning and your feed was completely taken over by green and purple veils stretching over Viborg, North Jutland, and the whole country. “Did you miss it too?” Yeah, most of us did. While people in North Jutland were sharing pictures of an almost unnaturally strong display, the rest of us were sound asleep.

But hold on, because I’ve got good news for you. The cold war between you and the northern lights is over. If you’re dreaming of ticking this off your bucket list, you need to act on 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 need to keep your eyes peeled tonight

It’s rare for us in Denmark to catch the northern lights without booking a flight to Tromsø. But when geomagnetic storms hit exactly our latitudes, it’s all about timing. There was activity last night, but this evening I expect the window to be longer. An old weather hand who knows his space stuff mentioned to me that we should start looking north from 8pm, provided the sky stays clear.

This is where it gets interesting for those of us who want more than just standing in the back garden. Because let’s be honest: Northern lights tonight are a gift, but if you’re dreaming of the full adventure, we need to talk about going all in.

From back garden to Arctic Adventure: 5 days in Norway

I’ve always said that Danish northern lights are the aperitif, but the real feast you’ll find in Norway. Right now, I’m seeing a trend, especially among readers here in North Jutland, for booking package trips. I’m not talking about some dull coach tour with 50 other tourists. I’m talking about that 5-day private Norway Arctic Adventure in Norway - Northern lights experience that gives you real freedom under the Norwegian stars.

Picture this instead:

• A private guide – someone who knows exactly where the snow crunches and where the sky is clearest, without you having to share the view with a bunch of other tourists.
• A 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 trip from Fairbanks in Chena. Both are magical, but Norway has the advantage of being combinable 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 promise you it’s in a completely different league from standing freezing in a car park in Viborg. No offence to Viborg – I love the town – but let’s call a spade a spade. Once you’ve stood in the snow with a flask of mulled wine and watched the lights dance over a fjord free from light pollution, it’s hard to go back.

How to seize the chance (both tonight and in the long run)

If you want to make the most 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. Five minutes outside Aalborg or Aarhus can make a world of difference.
• Northern lights tonight require patience: Nap on the sofa with a blanket ready. They rarely show up precisely at 9pm.
• Dreaming of Norway? Then look at those 5-day private trips. The price might seem steep, but when you’re standing there with a private guide and camera gear, you’ll understand why. It’s an investment in a memory that lasts a lifetime.

So turn down the volume on Netflix tonight. Get the thermal underwear out. The northern lights gave us a preview last night, but the show isn’t over yet. And remember: if you want a guarantee, you know where to go. Norway awaits.