What a fantastic informational site! The video was shot in Graceville, Minnesota on the night of September 26, 2020. I am planning a trip to Tofte early August. I have no financial relationship with either of these lodges. I feel confident I will get some shots of at least the Milky Way. In the next seven days temperatures will hit the -40F which does include windchill. Taking a hike in these areas is almost a religious experience. Reach out with questions (and I also invite anyone to contact me directly). With respect to whether the Northern Lights will shine … way to early to predict. If I were travelling to Lutsen, I might personally go the few extra miles to Grand Marais. Get a hold of a photo planning app to research some of your photography outings. Northern Minnesota is special in the winter, but very darn cold. The night is lighted up with a river of greens, purples, and reds and it seems like the whole universe is waving hello. My email address may be found on the “About Me” page. This solar wind puts a pressure on Earth’s magnetic field, which is […] I watched the parents raise triplets recently near my home at the northern edge of Duluth. Anchorage Northern Lights Forecast Carl Johnson 2021-04-14T16:53:29-08:00 Aurora Viewing in Southcentral Alaska Though Fairbanks is often assumed to be the only northern lights (aurora borealis) viewing location in Alaska, there are some distinct advantages to chasing the lights in and around Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska. Connie, Cool! Thanks again. How to See the Northern Lights in Minnesota. Wow what a great site….I love the northern lights, birding, skiing info…..Thanks. Once again, check out the locations in the daytime, and also only pick locations where there are no bright lights, or cities to the north (within 10 miles). In terms of notifications, the best way to find out when a display is upon us is by spending a few dollars and purchasing one of the recommended apps. The Aurora Borealis (commonly referred to as the Northern Lights) are the result of interactions between the Sun and Earth's outer atmosphere. "Will I See the Northern Lights in Voyageurs?" Have stayed there with my own family. I really appreciate all the great information you have provided here. With respect to star gazing (and maybe the Aurora), either Ely or Grand Marais are great towns which are entry points to the wilderness, but even in these towns to best see the stars or any aurora, get out of town. Upon linking to the site, you will see a image of the northern hemisphere. However, some basic facts for night photography … public boat launches on remote lakes which face north are good for the Northern Lights, and south facing for the Milky Way. You should have an app which would alert you to an Aurora being likely. Rodney Viereck of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) in the US explained to Lonely Planet that the sun goes through a roughly 11-year cycle, which includes three to four years of solar maximum. Read both of these posts in particular and dress very warmly … overnight lows sometimes reach -40F. Thanks to our northern location and vast, dark skies, we in Cook County, Minnesota … Will the Northern Lights be visible in the summer months? Hard to spot at the best of times, aurora hunters might have heard that this year the sun is almost about to enter the Solar Minimum phase. This page has a link to viewing spots towards the bottom which utilizes Google maps. You will see stars in numbers a city dweller can only imagine, and if you are lucky … the Aurora Borealis. The lodge has wifi, which the app mentioned prior will utilize. While they are famous for dazzling across the night sky, the northern lights are actually influenced by the activity of the sun. 1. NASA and NOAA attempt to measure CME’s using satellites and telescopes. All programs are open for registration. With a little advance planning, it is possible to photograph the Aurora. I will try the sights mentioned in your blog.I must say it’s an amazing blog I stumbled upon after googling for a few weeks. Undisturbed by the light pollution of Minnesota’s urban areas, natural darkness reigns as you venture into the northernmost reaches of the state. Thus possible, but not likely on the equinox. The one concern I would share about hunting is that it is smart to not hike in the woods during deer hunting season. The Northern Lights are viewable all year long in northern Minnesota. The Old Farmer's Almanac's extended forecasts can be used to make more informed decisions about future plans that depend on the weather, from vacations and weddings to gardening, hiking, and other outdoor activities. We are planning a trip to Lake Vermilion – Ludlow’s Resort for 2 days – Sep 29th and Sep 30th. Also avoid areas south of even small towns. When the fact that true darkness only occurs 2 hours after sunset, and 2 hours before sunrise, the viewing window on June 21st would only be from approximately 11 pm to 3 am. While I do not hunt anymore, please understand that hunting is no different than attending a sports event or concert in a big city … a great leisure time activity. The brightness and location of the aurora is typically shown as a … The Pro Version only costs $1.99 and is worth the expense. The season of aurora borealis in the Northern hemisphere generally lasts from August through April. Should be a great time and location. Any chance of seeing the northern lights and any suggestions of best sites. Admire the Milky Way shining and northern lights along the Gunflint Trail and over Lake Superior. There is even a great wilderness tavern near by named the Trail Center. In answer to your specific question, the power number (Gw) is found near the upper right of the Ovation Aurora web page. Thank you so much for the kind, quick reply. The lodge allows you to sample the wilderness … dogsledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hot tubbing … right from the front door of the lodge. My two sons are actually ski hiking from Ely to the Gunflint Trail in early March. We are into the advance 28 day forecast period for the Aurora, but as noted on this web page … the long range advance forecast is notoriously unreliable. and last updated 2020-12-09 16:20:47-05 KANSAS CITY, Mo. Finally, while an Aurora is possible in July, they happen much more frequently as we get to the fall equinox. The northern lights are therefore always present. 1. Minnesota Northern Lights Viewing and Photography, Facebook Group – Great Lakes Aurora Hunters, Facebook Group – Northern Lights | Lake Superior Region, https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/01/25/planning-winter-minnesota-northern-lights-trip/, https://www.365daysofbirds.com/2017/09/09/optimizing-your-probability-of-seeing-northern-lights/, 9 photos with camera settings & explanations. I am looking forward to view some aurora display. Having said that, most people who winter camp in the Boundary Waters wait till March for two basic reasons: 1) Even with severe cold, earlier in the winter the insulating snow cover often hides a layer of slush below it on area lakes. increasing or decreasing power numbers noted over a few hours). Every eleven years or so it beats, and it beats hard. I was wondering if you arrange for aurora trips or know of any tours in the area ? 3. This is known as the solar cycle and is measured by the number of sunspots visible on the sun. When you see northern lights face to face—flashing, weaving, and pulsing across the starry sky—it feels like pure magic. It looks highly likely that I will teach a free outdoor / wildlife photography class this Fall in the Duluth area. Mid- and southern parts of Minnesota, such as Lake City, Park Rapids, Mankato, St. We put up with December days when it gets dark at 4 p.m. We endure bitter life-threatening Janaury windchills of minus 40 degrees. Will the Northern Lights be visible in the summer months (July) in Northern Minnesota? Looks like it will be a New Moon the time I go. First of all thanks a lot for this wonderful information. Joshua: It is possible to view the Aurora Borealis in the middle of the Summer in northern Minnesota, but the viewing window each night is short. Any chance of a notification group and any hopes for Aurora in July? They have both cabins and a few lodge rooms. If it is trending upwards, then heading out is a good idea. Grand Ely Lodge (get room facing north). The BWCA, the North Shore of Lake Superior, and the Copper Harbor region of the U.P are drop dead gorgeous. Thus, check around sunset, and recheck a few times over the next hour. Please note the “red” viewing line. The northern lights are influenced by activity on the sun, and strong solar winds increase and intensify the northern lights. Coronal Mass Ejections (CME’s) often take up to 72 hours to reach earth. Not to far from Grand Portage is the Arrowhead Trail (goes inland from Hovland, Minnesota). Be prepared to head out a bit after sunset to known viewing spots IF the Ovation numbers are good. Northern Lights post / images from the night of …. More information about each camp can be found through the menu system. Northern Lights Summer Camps All of our 2021 camps and clinics are open for registration! Obviously it is impossible to be present on the surface of the sun to measure a CME. When you see northern lights face to face—flashing, weaving, and pulsing across the starry sky—it feels like pure magic. Forecasting the Northern Lights! In order to see the Northern Lights you need dark, cloud free skies with open views to the North and Northeast. However, if I were going to visit northern Minnesota and wanted to see the northern lights I would pick on of these two lodges … for different reasons. A map to one of my favorite Northern Lights viewing locations which is a bit north of Duluth may be found at the very bottom of this post. Historically, the chances of seeing the northern lights are best viewed in Northern Norway between October and March, because the polar night makes them easier to see. Thank you. Thus, while short term forecasting is MUCH better than long term forecasts, it is still problematic. Cloud, Rochester, and Stillwater are known for hosting an occasional northern light show. In addition, the closer you get to the Canadian border in Minnesota, the better your chances. Visitors on the North Shore can check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center website for the daily Aurora forecast, to see if any clear nights, which provide the best viewing conditions, are on the horizon. My images are available for purchase, but personal off-line use is allowed w/o charge. Read my full recommendation post which includes many annotated screenshots. NOAA SWPC issues a daily forecast, for the next three days, of geomagnetic activity. Any help will be much appreciated. If your willing to stay at a resort, there are a number of options I like on the Gunflint Trail. While Ely is a small town, the lights makes a difference. Please consider visiting northern Minnesota, or the Copper Harbor area once again. My middle son worked summers while in graduate as an outfitter on the Gunfint Trail. A Northern Lights display can happen anytime during a 24 hour period. If the Northern Lights shine you will need to walk outside and down the hill to cross the lake … about 400 yards. CME’s tend to cause Aurora displays. I can travel way up north from Wisconsin and would like to be safe at the same time. The later in the month the better for two basic reasons … nights get longer which means more time for a possible display, and the closer to the Fall equinox on September 21st … the better. Use these resources to learn when an aurora display is forecast! Finally, even if you are in a small town like Ely or Grand Marais, get out if town to lessen the effect of light pollution. Having said that remember these facts in planning a trip to northern Minnesota in early August. Long, starry nights of fall and winter make months from September to February well-known for northern lights journeys. But even though there is a set period of discovering the impressive light display, you must be a lucky person to witness one of them. Will the end of December (22-23) be too late to catch the Northern Lights? I look forward to following you posts. We are hoping to see the Aurora Borealis but realize it may not happen. Viewing the Northern Lights will be not be likely from your actual motel due to limited view to the actual northern skies and the lights from the Lutsen area. In the Which way is best to track Aurora activity? Thanks for your prompt response.I have never really been in the wilderness and thus I have little to no knowledge.You did give a great insight and I appreciate it. Remember that Ovation Aurora is an immediate term forecast and is updated every 20 minutes. This blog is wonderful! Thank you for the information and resources! I can not stress to highly about being careful in terms of winter camping. Thanks, Mike from Saint Louis. As far as I know there is noone who leads Northern Lights tours in Minnesota, me included. The book is the story of the Amity Owlets. Ely) to get away from the city lights. 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