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<\/p>\nThe Northern Lights – Mother Nature’s swirling winter light show – never fail to impress…but they’ve been particularly lively in recent months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And 2026 is being tipped as the best year to enjoy them in over a decade, as the latest 11-year activity cycle of the natural phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis peaks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
British meteorologist John Griffiths has seen the magical spectacle himself – and knows just where tourists should point their compass in the coming months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to\u00a0the Daily Mail, the weather expert explains that the Northern Lights – dancing lines of purples, greens and pinks – are\u00a0created by ‘solar storms coming off the sun that travel through space’.<\/p>\n
‘When it hits our magnetic field, we get very good auroras. ‘The stronger those flares are from the sun, the stronger and the further south the aurora is seen.’<\/p>\n
We’re currently in the midst of ‘a peak time’ of solar activity, ‘which equals more or better Aurora Borealis’ he says.<\/p>\n
‘Strong sun activity is the main one [reason] and it comes on every 12 years or so,’ he says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The expert recommends heading for the Arctic countries on Europe’s low-cost flight map, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – but adds that it can depend on the time of the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Make for the swirl: British meteorologist John Griffiths says we’re in for a bumper year for the Northern Lights in 2026 – thanks to strong solar flares coming off the sun<\/p>\n
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The ‘Southern Lights’, which are also known as the Aurora Australis, are visible in locations near the South Pole<\/p>\n
WHAT ARE AURORAS?\u00a0 <\/p>\n
The Northern and Southern Lights are natural light spectacles triggered in our atmosphere that are also known as the ‘Auroras’.<\/p>\n
There are two types of Aurora – Aurora Borealis, which means ‘dawn of the north’, and Aurora Australis, ‘dawn of the south.’<\/p>\n
The displays light up when electrically charged particles from the sun enter the Earth\u2019s atmosphere.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Usually the particles, sometimes referred to as a solar storm, are deflected by Earth\u2019s magnetic field.<\/p>\n
But during stronger storms they enter the atmosphere and collide with gas particles, including hydrogen and helium.<\/p>\n
These collisions emit light. Auroral displays appear in many colours although pale green and pink are common.<\/p>\n
The lights usually appear between 10pm and 2am at night, and can be spotted from\u00a0September to early April.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As close as you can get to the North Pole for the Aurora Borealis and, less easy for tourists, the South Pole for the ‘Southern Lights’, aka the Aurora Australis, will make for better viewing, says John.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Antarctica is obviously the best place in the world because there’s no light pollution.\u00a0When I was stationed there, I saw them [Aurora Australis] quite a bit. Maybe once every five days through the winter period.’<\/p>\n
The cheering news though is that he’s also witnessed spectacular displays without leaving the UK – and says Brits have a great chance of doing the same next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Head to northern Scotland and its islands – destinations such as Cairngorms National Park, the Outer Hebrides and Shetland – and you’re in with a good chance of seeing them, and even sometimes south of the border in England.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In November,\u00a0destinations as far south as\u00a0Whitley Bay, Northamptonshire, and Sunderland were lit up in breathtaking green and red hues when a ‘\u2018cannibal storm\u2019, which feeds off the first solar storm, took place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Iceland and Norway, John says, are also fairly safe bets and promise a ‘more spectacular array’ of lights in clear sky.<\/p>\n
What does it actually feel like to see them? Pretty special, says the weather expert.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recalling his first ever sighting of the\u00a0Aurora Australis, the meteorologist describes the moment he spotted the impressive colours above.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘It was intense. I was sat in darkness and you’re seeing high levels of green and purple dance across the sky.’<\/p>\n
‘You feel compelled to kind of sit there, look up and and just stay and watch it, even if it’s minus 30!’<\/p>\n
Technology can help too. John recommends using an app like AuroraWatch which can provide real-time alerts for when the Northern Lights might be about to show themselves.<\/p>\n
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The weather expert (pictured, left) says he’s been lucky enough to also see the Aurora Australis, in Antarctica, which are particularly mesmerising because of the lack of light pollution in the icy region<\/p>\n
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Scotland (pictured) and its islands are a good bet for first timers, with Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Finland also promising spectacular night skies\u00a0<\/p>\n
Location matters, says John, with the aurora ‘much clearer’ in dark sky spots such as forests, where there’s much less light pollution – but, he adds, you can still see them in busier areas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Where there are clearer skies and less light, you will see it, but there’s nothing stopping you seeing it in the city if it’s particularly strong.’<\/p>\n
There’s plenty of companies that will help you organise a trip to see the Northern Lights, with tour guides clued up on where the best viewing spots are.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The meteorologist says that ‘it’s absolutely possible to do it on your own’ too though, with the help of apps and a bit of research – although bear in mind you’re likely to have to\u00a0stay awake for hours in the darkness to not miss them, where as a guide will do all the legwork for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
John adds that he’d urge everyone to try and see the impressive skyscape at least once, saying: ‘It is beautiful. There’s something about it which is a bit magical.’\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four deals to see the Northern Lights in 2026 <\/p>\n
Discover the World offers four nights to Iceland with a guide from \u00a31,221 per person.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Land of the Northern Lights trip<\/a>\u00a0includes accommodation and breakfast but no flights.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On The Go Tours<\/a> offers private guided trips to Iceland in January from \u00a34,905.<\/p>\n The four-night holiday covers the hotel, airport transfers and breakfast. Flights are not included.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
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