Vadsø center
31
In Vadsø
Varanger: aurora season and dark hours
Nights with full darkness, the sun at least 18° below the horizon, return around 18 September and end around 24 March.
Polar night, when the sun stays below the horizon all day, lasts from about 25 November to 16 January (53 days).
December has the longest nights, with about 16 dark hours.
Midnight sun, when the sky never gets dark, lasts from about 17 May to 27 July. No aurora can be seen then.
Weather station records (Vardø, 2001-2017): in March, the clearest month of the dark season, about 1 in 10 night-time observations found a mostly clear sky.
Vardø is the nearest station in the region with long records, about 60 km from Vadsø.
| Month | Dark hours per day | Fully dark hours per day | Mostly clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 5.3 h | 1.6 h | 10% |
| October | 11 h | 8.1 h | 8% |
| November | 14 h | 12 h | 9% |
| December | 16 h | 13 h | 9% |
| January | 15 h | 13 h | 10% |
| February | 12 h | 9.5 h | 10% |
| March | 7.6 h | 3.9 h | 13% |
Dark hours per day: the hours in a day with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, dark enough for fainter aurora. Fully dark: at least 18° below. Averaged over every day of the month, from the sun's position at the region's center. Dates are approximate and shift by about a day from year to year. These figures are open data: see data sources.
Mostly clear: the share of night-time observations (19:00 to 04:00) in those records with cloud covering a quarter of the sky or less, 2001-2017. Based on data from MET Norway.
Varanger: 7 viewing spots
2 of the 7 spots can be reached without a car: in town or next to an airport, ferry port or train station.
Darkest sky in our catalog: Nesseby church, 34 km from town, about 30 min by car.
| Spot | From town | Sky | Without a car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vadsø center | in town | dark | yes |
| Ekkerøy | 15 km, 15 min | very dark | no |
| Nesseby church | 34 km, 30 min | very dark | no |
| Komagvær | 46 km, 40 min | very dark | no |
| Kiberg | 64 km, 55 min | very dark | no |
| Tana bru | 68 km, 60 min | dark | no |
| Vardø (Steilneset) | 74 km, 65 min | dark | yes |
Distances and drive times count from: Vadsø.
Drive times are typical winter driving times. Check the road conditions before you go.
Questions
What does the score mean?
The score runs from 0 to 100 for each spot and combines aurora activity, cloud cover, darkness, moonlight and light pollution.
- 80 or more: go out now.
- 60–79: a good chance.
- 40–59: possible, worth a look nearby.
- Under 40: a quiet, cloudy or bright night.
Until it is dark enough to see aurora (the sun 12° below the horizon), the number shows tonight's best hour, marked “Forecast”, unless the live score is already higher. After that it is live. “Estimated” means a data feed is missing, so the number leans on averages.
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Varanger?
Dark nights run from about 18 September to 24 March. December has the longest nights, with about 16 dark hours, but March is the clearest month of the dark season: at the weather station, 13% of night-time observations found a mostly clear sky. So March usually gives the best odds per night. Geomagnetic activity tends to be higher around the equinoxes, in late September and March. Clear sky decides most nights, so check the live score above for tonight.
What Kp index do you need in Varanger?
Varanger lies at about 66.4° geomagnetic latitude, close to the auroral oval, so aurora is regularly visible at Kp 0 to 2. Cloud cover and darkness decide most nights, not Kp.
Can you see the northern lights in town?
Yes, on stronger nights, though street light hides fainter displays. Spots in town: Vadsø center. For fainter aurora, head to one of the darker spots above.
Do you need a tour or a car in Varanger?
2 of the 7 spots can be reached without a car. A tour is the better choice without a car or experience of winter roads, and on cloudy nights when clear sky may be a long drive away: guides know the roads and where the clouds tend to break, and most help with photos. A car wins on flexibility: you leave when the score climbs and stay as long as you like, and it costs less once you are several people.
How far do you need to drive from Vadsø?
Nearest spot with a very dark sky: Ekkerøy, 15 km from Vadsø, about 15 min by car. Next: Nesseby church, 34 km, about 30 min.
Is there polar night in Varanger?
Yes, for about 53 days around midwinter. With the sun below the horizon all day, the evening starts early: in December about 16 of every 24 hours are dark enough for aurora, and only about 8 hours around midday are too bright.
Does the moon matter?
A bright moon high in the sky washes out faint aurora but not strong displays. The score in the app takes tonight's moon into account.
Figures updated 21 September 2026.
All 7 Varanger spots with tonight's hourly score, alerts and directions: free in the app.
