Kola Peninsula
The northern lights have been appearing here since the end of August, but the most chances to catch it in winter when the sun does not rise above the horizon for a long time. Interestingly, the duration of the polar night is not that long: from December 15 to 28. By the end of January, daylight hours increase to six hours, but the dark time is still enough to enjoy the radiance.
Go to the Khibiny to see spectacular northern landscapes. There is such an amazing view of the slopes and Kirovsk from the Aikuayvenchorr mountain. The northern lights are also clearly visible in Pechenga, Polyarny, and in the Kandalaksha region.
Nenets Autonomous Okrug
This is a region of Russia, where the number of deer is almost three times the number of inhabitants, where winter lasts 240 days a year, and the snow melts only in June. The Nenets Autonomous Okrug occupies a huge territory beyond the Arctic Circle with only one city – Naryan-Mar. In general, the conditions for observing the northern lights are almost ideal.
Arkhangelsk
The shining waves appear over the streets of Arkhangelsk on winter nights, sparkle on the outskirts, and decorate the sky above quiet sleeping areas. Of course, due to light pollution, the Northern Lights over the city are not as bright as in nature. But if you don’t want to go too far, you should sign up for an excursion, which is completely devoted to the search for the northern lights in Arkhangelsk. It will be a pleasant walk along the streets and embankment of the Northern Dvina with interesting stories about the history of the region.
Krasnoyarsk region
Taimyr is the northernmost mainland of Eurasia and a great place to watch the northern lights in Russia. The chances of catching the “dance of heavenly fire” here are extremely high, there is no need to look for specific points – just throw your head back, and when you see the radiance, fall back into a snowdrift and enjoy the unimaginable play of light and colors. The village of Khatanga and the vicinity of Dudinka are the very heart of Taimyr.
Yakutia
Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk are located in the largest constituent entity of Russia, Yakutia. These places are the cold poles of the Northern Hemisphere and the coldest inhabited places on the planet! The harsh lands, where cars are completely covered with ice overnight and rivers freeze to the bottom, have a frequent visitor – the northern lights. Even during the period of low solar activity, it overflows over Oymyakon with fascinating color shows. When the weather changes rapidly, it sparkles even brighter! If the temperature suddenly drops even more at night, you will have a chance to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.
Komi Republic
The Northern Lights happen here often, sometimes even in September, and in the capital, Syktyvkar, pale rays cut through the sky at the end of summer. To catch a bright shining, you should go here in winter and further north. For example, to Inta, Usinsk and Vorkuta.
Karelia
The northern lights in Karelia reach their peak in the winter months: the colder, the more colorful the sky is filled with colors. Try to get away from big cities, explore authentic Karelian villages – that’s where there is excellent visibility and no light noise! Some lucky ones manage to see the glow even in Petrozavodsk, but for vivid impressions, they go to Nilmoguba, Chupa, Kem, or Belomorsk.
Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
The aurora is a common thing here, “heavenly lights” appear both in autumn and in winter during periods of increased solar activity. Of course, in Salekhard, light noise will interfere with observation, but if you drive away, for example, to Labytnangi or the village of Kharp, you will be impressed by the riot of colors overhead.
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