Cruising in May 2016

[Moose12345]

I love this forum. It has so much information on everything anyone would want to know! Thanks for all who answer everyone's questions!!

We will be cruising May 22-29,2016. We are doing the Inside Passage. I was wondering if there is any chance that we will see the Northern Lights at that time. I know it's better in the winter, but I'm hoping to see some colours. :)

[Glaciers]

There were some good showings in August and September this year and more reports from cruisers than I’d ever seen. This is partly due to it getting darker during that time frame.

 

Your chances of seeing them the end of May are nearly zero. If there is a good forecast with a cloudless sky it would certainly be worth taking a peek out the window around 2am when it might be dark enough.

 

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

 

There are also services available that send you an alert when there is a potential of them being out.

[clr315]

That's when we will be traveling to Alaska as well. No hope of seeing those northern lights sorry. It stays light pretty late during this time frame.

[Moose12345]

I was thinking that we probably wouldn't see them, but I will check a few nights anyway. Thanks for responding!!:(

[Budget Queen]

Pretty close to zero chance end of May. Last year- first week of May got a view- which was the first time, I had heard of a May date being seen during the cruise season. Earliest I have seen them has been mid August.

[gottagoacruzn]

On the first cruise to Alaska bout 20 yrs ago, saw them on a clear night, but that was mid Sept, and it was something to see!!! Tried to videotape them, but it didn't work out, couldn't see a thing, but you could hear people talkin.

 

Virginia

Edited November 3, 2015 by gottagoacruzn

[Glaciers]

If your skies are clear tonight this may be one of the best viewing potentials of the year.

 

http://fox2now.com/2015/11/02/big-solar-storm-means-chance-to-see-northern-lights-in-missouri-illinois/