Better Northern Lights Viewing Expected in Iceland in Coming Years

2026-02-03 - 10:38

Visitors to Iceland may have improved chances of seeing the Northern Lights in the coming years, following recent developments in solar activity. As reported by RÚV, an X-class solar flare was recorded on 1 February, according to Icelandic science journalist Sævar Helgi Bragason. (For context, an X-class solar flare is the third most powerful of its kind in the current sunspot cycle.) What's the Story? X-class solar flare recorded during the night of 1 February Slow coronal eruption followed, reducing likelihood of strong immediate aurora Slight increase in auroral activity possible around 5 February Current phase of 11-year sunspot cycle associated with more frequent auroras The auroras lighting up the trees! Photo: Golli. Read more: How to Read a Northern Lights Forecast Solar Activity Rising Solar flares occur in active regions on the Sun known as sunspots. “Solar flares occur around active areas on the sun called sunspots. These days there is a huge area of sunspots that can even be seen with the naked eye through solar eclipse glasses,” Bragason said. Large flares can influence Earth’s magnetic field and disrupt communications. However, because this event took place during nighttime in Iceland, it had limited impact locally. Flares are often followed by coronal mass ejections, which can trigger strong auroras. In this case, the eruption was slower. “There was a slow coronal eruption that accompanied this one, so we shouldn’t expect a spectacular aurora from this event,” Bragason said. He later added that a modest increase in activity could be visible around 5 February. Scientists note that auroral activity often intensifies during the declining phase of the 11-year sunspot cycle, which is now under way. That pattern may support favourable viewing conditions in the next two to three years.