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Old 08-26-2011, 04:10 AM
 
2 posts, read 13,924 times
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I will be coming to Anchorage during the labor day weekend for 4 days and want to check how often the northern light can be seen around Anchorage. I did some researches online and knows it's hard to observe it because of the city light. I will rent a car in that 4 days trip and want to check is there any area around Anchorage (within 1-2 hour drive) a good area to observe the Northern Light. I saw people recommend going to Fairbanks but since my hotel has been booked and cannot be canceled, I think I need to keep my finger crossed to see the northern light which is my bad not doing a thorough research before buying the hotel package. I am planing to propose marriage under the Northern Light

Thanks!
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Old 08-26-2011, 08:32 AM
 
Location: Dangling from a mooses antlers
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Good luck!!!
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Old 08-26-2011, 09:05 AM
 
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
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Drive to the top of Hatcher Pass (about 1.5 hours outside of Anchorage). You will be far enough away from the city lights. Unfortunately, it still will not help if it is cloudy.
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Old 08-26-2011, 10:13 AM
 
Location: Seattle
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I had not seen them in years in Anchorage until last winter. If they are out you may be able to see them at Glen Alps. It's a 20-30 minute drive from downtown. This site forecasts the aurora.
Aurora Forecast | Geophysical Institute

This is from last winter up at Glen Alps. Not the best showing but it was worth the short drive. The pinkish glow is from the lights of Anchorage 2000 feet below reflecting off the snow.

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Old 08-26-2011, 10:51 AM
 
Location: Wasilla, AK
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There's two big variables... One, it has to be a clear night. Two, the Northern Lights have to be active.
But, if you get lucky enough for both of those, then there's several places that'll work...
Glenn Alps is one. Point Warozoff might also work if you are wanting to stick close to Anchorage.
If you're up for some driving, Hatcher's Pass will work.
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Old 08-26-2011, 11:05 AM
 
Location: Anchorage
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I've been in Anchorage for 3 years now and never seen them.
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Old 08-26-2011, 07:22 PM
 
Location: Alaska
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Yes they're actually not seen as often as one might imagine up here. Though the few shows that I have seen while soaking in my hot tub during Palmer, AK winter evenings have been priceless...
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Old 08-27-2011, 03:15 AM
 
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Thanks everyone for the information. It seems Fairbanks a better place for us to have a higher chance to see the Northern Light. The forecast site seems updating once a week, hope it can have updates by tomorrow so I can re-arrange my itinerary this weekend.
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Old 08-27-2011, 04:28 AM
 
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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The drive up to Fairbanks is fantastic. The scenery is beautiful and the leaves should just be starting to change colors in Denali and the Fairbanks area. I've been up here in Anchorage for a little over a year and I've been able to see them twice. Once in Anchorage when we had extremely high solar activity and then once in Fairbanks. The only issue with Aurora viewing in September is that it's still fairly light out when they are most active, if they are active on your dates at all. The moon and clouds can play a large role in Aurora visibility too.

Good luck !
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Old 08-27-2011, 08:28 AM
 
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
17,823 posts, read 23,455,656 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sycw View Post
Thanks everyone for the information. It seems Fairbanks a better place for us to have a higher chance to see the Northern Light. The forecast site seems updating once a week, hope it can have updates by tomorrow so I can re-arrange my itinerary this weekend.
The Fairbanks area would indeed be a better choice than Anchorage for viewing the northernlights. Fairbanks has far fewer overcast days than Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.
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