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Northern Lights in May

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Due to the midnight sun, aurora is not visible in Arctic regions during May.

Aurora by Month: January Jan February Feb March Mar April Apr May May June Jun July Jul August Aug September Sep October Oct November Nov December Dec

Aurora Viewing in May

May offers poor conditions for aurora viewing due to minimal darkness. With only 0 hours of darkness in Tromso and the approaching midnight sun, aurora sightings are rare. Consider planning your trip for September through March instead.

Darkness Hours by Location

Location	Dark Hours	Best Viewing Window
Tromso, Norway	0h	No darkness
Reykjavik, Iceland	3h	Limited window
Fairbanks, Alaska	2h	Limited window
Rovaniemi, Finland	1h	Limited window

Best Destinations in May

Midnight Sun Season

Due to the midnight sun, aurora viewing is not possible in May. Plan your aurora trip for September through March for the best viewing conditions.

Weather Conditions

Average Temperature

Tromso +5C

Reykjavik +7C

Fairbanks +9C

Rovaniemi +6C

What to Expect

May brings the midnight sun to Arctic regions, with 24-hour daylight making aurora viewing impossible. Temperatures are mild, ranging from 7C to 9C across different locations.

What to Pack

Light jacket for evenings
Layered clothing
Comfortable outdoor shoes
Light sweater or fleece

FAQ about Aurora in May

Unfortunately, May is not suitable for aurora viewing due to the midnight sun phenomenon. In Arctic regions, the sun doesn't set during this period, meaning the sky never gets dark enough to see the aurora. Consider visiting between September and March instead.

May is perfect for experiencing the midnight sun - 24 hours of daylight! Activities include midnight hiking, fishing under the never-setting sun, wildlife watching, and exploring national parks. Many visitors come specifically to experience this unique natural phenomenon.

Aurora season typically begins in late August when darkness returns to the Arctic. By mid-September, viewing conditions are good across most aurora destinations. The fall equinox in September often brings increased geomagnetic activity.