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Northern Lights in North Iceland

Northern Lights in Iceland in Spring: Why March and Early April Are Underrated

Does the full moon cancel auroras? No

Can you still see them? Yes, if strong

What matters most? Clear skies

 

Most travelers assume winter is the only serious northern lights season in Iceland.
In reality, March and early April can be one of the smartest times to hunt the aurora.

You still have dark nights long enough for aurora viewing, travel conditions are often easier than in deep winter, and the weeks around the spring equinox are statistically favorable for geomagnetic activity.

For many visitors, spring offers a perfect balance:
dark skies, snowy landscapes, comfortable temperatures, and excellent chances of seeing the northern lights.

At Aurora Reykjavík, we work with aurora forecasting and education every day, and spring consistently surprises visitors with spectacular displays.

 

Written by Katarina Raker, Northern Lights expert and co-founder of Aurora Reykjavík

 

Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland in Spring?

Why March Is One of the Best Months for Aurora in Iceland

The Equinox Effect

Best Time of Night to See the Northern Lights in Spring

What You Actually Need to See the Northern Lights

Is Spring Better Than Winter for Northern Lights?

Northern Lights Photography in Spring

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

 

Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park, Iceland

Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland in Spring?

Yes — especially in March and early April.

The aurora can appear any time the following three conditions occur simultaneously:

  1. Dark skies

  2. Clear or partly clear skies

  3. Geomagnetic activity from solar wind

In Iceland, darkness remains sufficient well into April.

Typical viewing potential:

 

Month Aurora visibility potential
March Excellent
Early April Still good
Late April Possible but increasingly difficult
May–July Too bright for aurora viewing

 

So while winter has longer nights, spring still provides plenty of darkness — with some added advantages.

Why March Is One of the Best Months for Aurora in Iceland

Several factors make March particularly attractive for northern lights travelers.

The Equinox Effect

Around the spring and autumn equinoxes, aurora activity tends to increase due to a phenomenon called the Russell–McPherron effect.

In simple terms:

  • Earth’s magnetic field interacts with the solar wind.

  • Near the equinoxes, the orientation of Earth’s magnetic field makes it easier for solar wind energy to enter the magnetosphere.

  • This can increase the likelihood of geomagnetic storms.

This does not guarantee stronger auroras every night, but statistically the equinox season tends to produce more geomagnetic disturbances.

For aurora chasers, this means March and September are often very active months.

 

Full moon aurora in the highlands, Iceland

Temperatures rising make spring landscapes ever changing

Comfortable Conditions Compared to Deep Winter

Winter aurora tours can involve temperatures of −10°C or lower.

Spring usually brings:

  • milder temperatures

  • safer road conditions

  • longer daylight for sightseeing

  • less severe storms

For many visitors, this makes aurora hunting far more enjoyable.

Northern Lights under a full moon in Iceland
Full moon aurora in the Eastfjords

Snowy Landscapes With Better Light for Photography

March still offers winter scenery across much of Iceland.

Snow-covered landscapes can dramatically enhance aurora photography by reflecting light and illuminating foregrounds.

But spring also brings an advantage many photographers love:

Long twilight periods.

The sky may retain subtle blue tones rather than turning completely black, allowing foregrounds to appear naturally in photos without artificial lighting.

Learn more about northern lights photography with our experts here: https://aurorareykjavik.is/2025/12/03/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights/

Pale green and purple northern lights rays dance over a cone-shaped mountain in the snowy landscape. In foreground, a small frozen waterfall

Snowy panorama at Kirkjufell

Travellers exploring the Katla ice cave

Katla natural ice cave in the south of Iceland

More Daytime Activities

Unlike midwinter, spring in Iceland offers longer days for exploring.

Visitors can combine aurora hunting with:

One of the best places to start your aurora adventure is Aurora Reykjavík, where you can learn how the northern lights work, how to read aurora forecasts, and how to photograph them.

Green northern lights and full moon lighting up the dark night sky above yellow and brown mountains partially covered in snow

This could be you! Join us off-the-beaten-path on one of our superjeep tours

Best Time of Night to See the Northern Lights in Spring

Auroras can technically appear at any time during dark hours, but in Iceland the most common viewing window is roughly:

9 PM – 2 AM

However, timing depends entirely on solar activity and cloud cover.

The most important strategy is monitoring forecasts and being ready to move when conditions improve.

 

What You Actually Need to See the Northern Lights

Many myths surround aurora viewing. In reality, you only need three ingredients.

Darkness

The sky must be dark enough.
This is why the aurora season runs roughly late August to mid-April.

Clear skies

Clouds block aurora completely.
Many successful aurora chases involve driving away from cloud cover.

Solar activity

Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

The strength of this activity is often summarized by the Kp index, though in Iceland even Kp 2–3 can produce visible aurora if skies are clear.

Find out more on how to read the Aurora forecast here: https://aurorareykjavik.is/2025/12/05/how-to-read-an-aurora-forecast-your-complete-guide-to-not-miss-the-northern-lights/

Full moon aurora at Þingvellir National Park

Early spring northern lights over Skógafoss, a convenient day tour from Reykjavík

Is Spring Better Than Winter for Northern Lights?

Both seasons have advantages.

Winter offers:

  • longer nights
  • more hours of darkness

Spring offers:

  • equinox aurora activity
  • milder temperatures
  • easier travel conditions
  • excellent photography light

For many visitors, March is one of the best compromises between comfort and aurora potential.

Further reading about early spring in Iceland:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in March?

Yes. March is widely considered one of the best months of the aurora season.

Can you see the northern lights in April?

Yes, especially in early April.
By late April the nights become too bright for reliable viewing.

Do you need cold temperatures for aurora?

No. Auroras are caused by solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field — temperature is irrelevant.

Can you see aurora from Reykjavík?

Yes, during strong displays.
However, darker locations outside the city usually provide better visibility.

Final Thoughts

Spring is often overlooked by northern lights travelers — but it shouldn’t be.

With dark skies still available, the potential boost from the equinox season, and far more comfortable travel conditions, March and early April can be excellent times to see the aurora in Iceland.

If you want to understand how the northern lights work — and how to maximize your chances of seeing them — visit Aurora Reykjavík, Iceland’s dedicated Northern Lights Center.

Katarina and Grétar, Founders, Owners and Photographers at Aurora Reykjavik, The Northern Lights Center of Iceland

Our Aurora Reykjavík photographers and experts under the northern lights

EXPLORE MORE AT AURORA REYKJAVÍK

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FAQ ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

Hvar get ég séð norðurljós á Íslandi?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April.
During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night.
However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
Can you see the Northern Lights during a full moon?
Yes. Strong auroras remain clearly visible even during a full moon.
What time do the northern lights show up?
Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear).
During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm.
As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!

 

 

How long do the northern lights last?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
Can I see the northern lights when it is cloudy?
Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky and check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
Do the northern lights only appear when it is cold?
The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.
Are the northern lights visible all over Iceland?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
Are the northern lights really colourful?
 

 

 

Is a new moon better for aurora viewing?
It can help with faint auroras, but solar activity and cloud cover matter far more.

 

 

Is the full moon good for aurora photography?
Yes — it often improves landscapes, foregrounds, and image sharpness.

 

 

Katarina Raker photographing The Northern Lights In Iceland

Katarina Raker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: KATARINA RAKER

Katarina Raker is a passionate Northern Lights expert and award-winning photographer based in Iceland. With years of experience chasing the aurora across the Arctic, she combines her love for storytelling with a deep knowledge of the science behind the Northern Lights. As a team member at Aurora Reykjavík, Katarina is dedicated to helping travelers experience the magic of the aurora borealis through expert tips, guided tours, and stunning photography. When she’s not capturing the sky’s most dazzling displays, Katarina enjoys exploring Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes and sharing her adventures with the world.