Those with any knowledge of the subject will know that in countries such as Sweden and Iceland, Northern Lights sightings are relatively common. Located in polar or Arctic latitudes, which are very conducive to the occurrence of this phenomenon, these countries register many instances of sightings occurring every year. It is for this reason that the two aforementioned destinations are the most popular countries chosen for dedicated Northern Lights holidays.

Travel with the experts to avoid disappointment

There is, however, an important distinction between certainty and expectation – and it's one that can bring disappointment for people who travel independently to the region expecting to catch sight of the phenomenon. There is no fixed pattern for when, where or for how long the lights will appear, and a degree of luck is always involved when trying to be at the right place at the right time for a sighting. That's why, for the very best opportunity to experience a sighting, it is highly recommended to travel with an experienced and established operator. A specialised tour company with local guides and excellent infrastructure can offer the in-depth knowledge and skills required for the optimum chance of a sighting.

Technology lends a hand

In recent times, official entities for both Sweden and Iceland countries have sought to make the endeavour as scientific as humanly possible, namely through the implementation of platforms that allow experts to figure out when and where a Northern Lights show is most likely to occur. The tool created by the Icelandic government for this purpose – the Iceland Northern Lights Forecast – is particularly well-respected, and is now used by most borealis chasers visiting Europe's northernmost island. Below is a brief explanation of how this system works.

The Iceland Northern Lights Forecast

The Iceland Northern Lights Forecast is an online tool devised and implemented by the Icelandic Institute of Meteorology, with the purpose of helping track down the aurora borealis with as high a degree of precision as possible. Even for those with little experience, it can be useful to have a look as it can be accessed from the entity's website and provides a five-day forecast of potential sightings. It also informs interested parties of whether or not an aurora borealis will be visible on any given day within the encompassed time frame, so guides will not need to risk taking visitors to a location only to be disappointed.

In addition to these useful features, the tool also provides information about the hours of sunrise and sunset, as well as moonrise, all of which is useful for eager aurora borealis chasers. Additional information on factors such as cloud cover is also included, rounding out an easy-to-navigate and extremely useful tool – so even if you're not an expert, you can at least pretend to be!

Kevin Collins is director of Aurora Nights, a company offering holidays to see the Northern Lights. When you travel to Swedish Lapland or Iceland, Northern Lights encounters make for a thrilling experience. Aurora Nights is part of Weekend a la Carte, a family-run company with vast in-depth knowledge based on their extensive travels to the region of the Aurora Borealis and passionate about giving superb client service.