michele Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hi Guys, Has anyone done the Northern Lights . Looking for any info re the area and any campsites that are available. Also would be grateful if any one could tell us about what we need to travel eg, vignette etc. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hi Michele, long time no chat -I often wonder what became of you as you disappeared - hope you and the family are all well. What countries are you considering travelling to? We have seen the Northern Lights from the North coast of Scotland but the further South you are the less the chances. Norway and Finland are a very long way to drive but you don't need any more paperwork than you do for France, just be sure you read what you can and cannot take into those countries. The roads are often quiet but very rarely dual carriageway so whilst you can cover big mileages you often will not do so at Motorway speeds. The Northern Lights are much more visible on dark nights, although it is still a lottery as to whether they will oblige and coincide with your visit, and that means colder weather up North and maybe snow and difficult roads too. When we toured that part we didn't use any sites and they are very expensive and may not be open out of summer season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 10, 2018 Author Share Posted September 10, 2018 Richard, Long time I hope you guys are well also we are all fine . Still poodling along with the children in tow haha looks like i will never retire. I just get so busy that I forget to log on and before you know it the day is done and then life takes over . I do mean to pop in but as Ive never been much help with the practical side of things well.... Anyway I always say Im back and hopefully I am this time lots of questions to ask . Im in no hurry re the lights and it wont be a quick trip its for when we retire my bucket list so to speak . Ive been looking lately at the country and just thought Id ask who had done it . Ive still got the Rapido and all is well although we bought a Caravan for this years SOF trip needs must with the boy .Thanks for all your info and watch out for me ive come back to haunt you :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 michele - 2018-09-10 5:47 PM watch out for me ive come back to haunt you :D Michele, there is nobody else who can haunt quite like you and if I have to be haunted by anyone you would be my favourite - but don't let on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 I've been up to the arctic circle, where you get the full impact exploding over your head, but it's hit and miss, you could travel all that way and see nothing. But to see them on the horizon you don't have to go that far. http://www.aurora-service.eu/aurora-forecast/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 10, 2018 Author Share Posted September 10, 2018 Thank you very much . As I said it won't be a quick trip I suppose I can stay until I do see a display . Bucket list got to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 The Nordkapp at midnight midsummers day - no chance of seeing the Northern Lights!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hi Michele and welcome back!!! I saw the Northern lights a few years ago while working in Arjeplog in Northern Sweden. It was very late February or early March and night time temperatures where down below -25 °C so be prepared if you travel that far North! We where staying at the Hotel Kraja which has a campsite attached... https://silverresort.se/en/accommodation/kraja/camping/ From Arjeplog it is less than 100 miles to the Arctic Circle. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Hi Michele; If it’s a bucket list thing and maybe not a whole family trip? Then maybe Iceland for a few days at the most likely time of year, without the van. Probably similar to Norway or Sweden cost wise, We saw a hint of them in Reykjavik, but an hour out in the cold at midnight just 5 mins away from a warm hotel was bearable! Regards, Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirou Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 None of these countries are known for their clear skies so in addition to solar activity you need luck with the weather. I've spent a lot of time in Finland (mostly south) over the past 10 years in all seasons and have seen the sun/stars on about 10-20% of my days there. Winters are especially bad in that regard. Let's just say I haven't seen the aurora yet. But I also never went looking for it on purpose. So be prepared to spend a bit of time there. Or you might get lucky on day 1. Obviously much more likely to see it up north (Rovaniemi, Tromso etc.). And be ready for temps well below -20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Four years ago Caithness was one of the best places to view. Take a look at this! 8-)8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 Hi Guys, Thanks for the welcome back long time no chat to you all. Thanks for the info and i have every faith in my heating system in my Rapido Alde ha ha and my bridget jones and warm Salopettes. Wicked video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Hi We saw the lights in Finland 4 years ago. Temperatures bottomed out at minus 37C so not motorhoming temps. The lights are better some years than others. This is linked to sun cycles. 4 years ago the probabilities were high, hence our trip. You need to do research on when best to go. I beleive the cycle is low at the moment. We went for 7 nights. Saw the lights on two nights, one excellent and the other mediocre. So, choose you year with care and go for a maximum period you can manage to give best chance. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmorris Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 After midnight on a moonless nights in March and September (near the Spring and Vernal equinoxes) is the optimum time to see a good auroral display. We are approaching solar minimum, so auroral activity is likely to be lower. However, as many have said, weather also plays a big part in whether or not you will actually get to see a display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Hi Michele, They were seen south of London in in Surrey when I was a youngster but it never gets dark here now and they've probably progressed further north following a colder pattern as may things are. Better be quick lest they fade over the horizon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Will86 - 2018-09-11 1:25 PM They were seen south of London in in Surrey when I was a youngster but it never gets dark here now and they've probably progressed further north following a colder pattern as may things are. Better be quick lest they fade over the horizon. It will be better when Brexit is finalised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 This might help for UK Auroras. https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmorris Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 747 - 2018-09-11 5:47 PM This might help for UK Auroras. https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Great site, but unfortunately auroras visible in areas of the UK south of the Highlands are pretty rare. At best, you might get a few hours warning. You will also need a low, dark northern horizon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 Thank you all so much . It made me laugh about Brexit etc … thanks for the giggles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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