The Northern Lights can be spotted surprisingly often in the area of Kainuu Arctic Lakeland – Aurora hunter’s guide for seeing the lights

Founder of KoeKainuu Kerttu is an experienced aurora enthusiast, who has worked for many years as an aurora guide in Lapland, and is currently organizing aurora hunting activities in Kuhmo. In this article, she answers some of the most common questions from beginners.

Can you see Northern Lights in Kainuu?

Yes, you can, and surprisingly often! Especially around the equinoxes, the Earth’s position allows auroras to be seen even south of Lapland. During the equinoxes, the Earth’s magnetic field is in an optimal position to receive particles from the sun. These particles create auroras when they hit the atmosphere.

Based on a rough estimate from my own experience, I would say you can see auroras in Kainuu at least a couple of times a month.

The current solar activity, which varies in 11-year cycles, is in the rising phase. Therefore, in the coming years, auroras will be seen more and more frequently even at the latitude of Kainuu. When the activity peaks next time in 2025, we will witness very impressive displays!

How to see the Northern lights in Kainuu?

In Kainuu, auroras don’t rise directly overhead as often as in Lapland, but they are mostly seen in the northern horizon. Therefore, you need to find a place with an unobstructed view of the northern sky.

Additionally, the location should be free from light pollution. Make sure your location is not south of any city or ski resort.

Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent aurora watching spots in Kainuu! For example, the southern shore of a lake is an excellent choice, and luckily, we have plenty of lakes here. Open fields, marshes, or the tops of hills can also provide good views.

When is the right time to expect auroras?

Auroras are created by charged particles emitted by the sun. Predicting space weather is not the same as predicting Earth’s weather. Long-term forecasts, especially, are very difficult to make.

Aurora hunters use forecasts and satellite data to know when they will appear. You can check a rough forecast for the next 27 days here.

The higher the Kp index, the better the chances of seeing auroras. In Kainuu, Kp 4, sometimes even 3, is enough to see them. The higher the index, the higher auroras rise in the sky and the faster they move.

However, as I mentioned earlier, the Kp index is only a rough guide. On the evening you plan to go out, watch solar wind meters. From them, you can see, among other things, the speed of the solar wind, its density, the orientation of the magnetic field, and much more! When you know how to read the values, you can know the exact moment when auroras will appear, with an accuracy of up to ten minutes!

Does it sound difficult? Check our tours to find a effortless way to see the auroras!

How do I take good photos of auroras?

The best tool for photographing auroras is, of course, a DSLR camera, but it’s also possible to photograph them with a compact camera or smartphone. The most important thing is that you can choose the settings manually.

You also need a tripod or some other stable surface because nighttime photography requires long exposure times, lasting several seconds. It’s impossible to shoot handheld under such circumstances.

The camera settings depend on many factors, such as the brightness of the auroras and the speed of their movement, but also the phase of the moon can affect the settings a lot! You can try setting the parameters like this: ISO 1600 f 4 ss 15 sec. Also, use a remote shutter release or a two-second timer, as your camera will shake slightly when you press the shutter button.

Should I go for Aurora hunting on my own or book a tour?

Well, since we are selling Aurora tours, you can probably guess our opinion. Perhaps you won’t need a tour, if your accommodation is in a good location and you are lucky enough to see the lights straight from there.

If you have a rental car, you could try hunting yourself. But beware, if the weather is cold, in the worst scenario your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere. Many roads that you see in navigator might also not be open during the winter. If you book a tour, you won’t get just a car ride. You get local knowledge about “secret” locations, carefully planned safety and of course alot of interesting stories and facts both about Auroras and life in Finland!

Aurora hunting is an extremely rewarding hobby, but it can feel also like eerie experience for someone that is not used to be driving long distances in the darkness without seeing anybody. I don’t recommend beginners going for a hunt far from towns on their own, especially if the weather is really cold. It can be dangerous if you’re not sure what you are doing.

-Kerttu

See our tours to experience the Northern lights with a local guide in Kuhmo!