Solar Maximum 2025
why finland could boast the best seats in the house for northern lights viewing
Revontulet is the Finnish term for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and translates into "fox fires"
If you're planning to visit Finland in 2025, you’re in for one of the most spectacular shows the universe has to offer! No, we're not talking about a Steve n’ Seagulls concert, (though those guys are great too), we’re talking about solar maximum, when the sun gets feisty and unleashes one of nature's most dazzling spectacles: the Aurora Borealis.
Get your thermals ready, grab some hot wine (or hot chocolate), and let’s dive into why Finland is the place to be during this celestial event.
Aurora cabin at Northern Lights Village
What is Solar Maximum? (And Why Should You Care?)
Every 11 years, the sun goes through a natural cycle of activity, and 2025 marks the next peak—solar maximum. During this time, the sun gets a bit hyperactive, pumping out massive flares, magnetic storms, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While this might sound intimidating, for those of us safely on Earth (and in Finland), it means something magical: the Northern Lights become even more frequent, brighter, and more epic.
While the Northern Lights can be seen during any phase of the solar cycle, the solar maximum dramatically amplifies both the frequency and intensity of auroras. Increased solar activity means more CMEs and stronger solar winds, leading to more collisions between solar particles and Earth's atmosphere. This heightens the vividness and expansiveness of auroras, often visible further from the poles than usual.
During solar maximum, auroras are not limited to just the northern (Aurora Borealis) or southern (Aurora Australis) regions. Solar storms can extend the viewing range much farther, occasionally making auroras visible as far south as the United States or Europe, as happened this past May as far south as Texas!
Aurora Borealis dancing on the horizon in Lapland
Why Finland is the Northern Lights Capital of the World
Finland is already one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights, with its dark, clear skies and its location just beneath the auroral oval—the sweet spot for aurora hunters. But during solar maximum Finland turns into a front-row seat to nature's ultimate light show. Imagine the most vivid shades of green, pink, purple, and red dancing across the sky in a mesmerizing, swirling display that lasts for hours.
What Makes Solar Maximum 2025 So Special?
The solar cycle is predictable, and scientists can estimate when the next solar maximum will occur. The most recent solar minimum (the point of least solar activity) was in 2019, and the current cycle is expected to reach its maximum around 2025. This period promises a surge in solar activity and, consequently, more frequent and vibrant auroras.
During solar maximum, the sun goes into overdrive, shooting out more solar flares and CMEs, which means the Earth's atmosphere is flooded with charged particles. These particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, producing more frequent and intense auroras. In other words, 2025 will be a golden year for sky-watchers. Expect auroras to light up the sky almost every night during winter, with some displays visible even in lower-latitude parts of Finland.
Lapland in May 2024
What Will the Northern Lights Look Like?
While the classic green auroras are a staple, during solar maximum, you’re more likely to see rarer colors like deep purples, reds, and blues. These colors occur when solar particles interact with different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Green is caused by oxygen at lower altitudes, while red occurs at higher altitudes. The rarer blues and purples are created by nitrogen collisions.
Plus, during solar maximum, the auroras often spread across larger areas of the sky and last longer, giving you plenty of time to marvel at their beauty. You might even witness auroras that pulse, flicker, and shimmer as they stretch across the horizon, turning the Arctic sky into an ever-dancing canvas (or a fox fire).
Revontulet is Finnish for Northern Lights and translates as "fox fires" in English. Finnish legend tells the story of a magical arctic fox running across the snowy fells of Lapland. According to the myth, as the fox's tail brushes against the snow, it sends sparks into the sky, creating the beautiful lights we see as the aurora.
How to Maximize Solar Maximum 2025 in Finland
Timing is everything: Winter (from late September through March) is prime Northern Lights season, with the darkest and longest nights occurring between December and February and the clearest skies in September and March. This is when you’ll have the best chance to see the lights in full swing.
Head north: The further north you go, the better your chances of seeing the auroras. Cities like Rovaniemi, Inari, or Saariselkä are prime locations, though, with solar maximum, you might catch a show from as far south as Oulu or Kemi.
Book early: Solar maximum only happens once every 11 years, so you can bet people from all over the world will flock to Finland for this rare event. Book your aurora cabins and tours well in advance to ensure you don’t miss out.
Bundle up: It’s going to be cold. Make sure to pack thermals, a good winter jacket, and plenty of layers. The long nights can get icy, but trust us, the sight of the auroras will warm your souls!
Solar maximum 2025 promises to be an unforgettable event, and Finland is undoubtedly one of the best places to experience it. From the surreal beauty of the Northern Lights reflecting off the snow-covered landscapes to the cozy, warm embrace of a Finnish sauna or an aurora cabin, this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Oh, and did we mention that we happen to have a detour planned to Finnish Lapland in March 2025? Forget about the hassle of planning and leave it to us. We’ve already booked your aurora cabins and made a date for you to mush with huskies, rub noses with reindeer, and capture it all on camera with a northern lights photography expert! Learn more at the link below.
