Spot the Northern Lights in the Netherlands Tonight

Think you need to travel to Lapland or Iceland to photograph the Northern Lights? Think again—skip the pricey flights, because these days you might just see them in the Netherlands.

Excitement is building for nature lovers and (hobby) photographers. In the coming days, there’s a strong chance the Northern Lights will be visible in the Netherlands.

Here’s where you can spot the Northern Lights this evening.

Northern Lights in the Netherlands

In recent years, the Northern Lights have been visible in the Netherlands fairly often, thanks to a so-called solar maximum—the peak of the Sun’s 11-year cycle. That maximum is now slowly winding down, but it’s precisely at this stage that we often still see multiple significant solar eruptions.

Several active sunspot groups have formed on the far side of the Sun in recent weeks, meaning they are currently out of our view.

These sunspots are now rotating toward Earth, and since Wednesday night, they’ve produced several solar flares. One of these flares is currently on its way to our planet.

The result? Friday evening could offer a great chance to catch the Northern Lights in the Netherlands.

Where to watch them

Weednesday night could be your last opportunity to catch this solar display. Fortunately, much of the country should have a clear view, as only high clouds are present. The southeast offers the clearest skies.

For the best experience, head to a dark location. Bonus tip for anyone taking photos: cameras—even your phone—capture the colors of the aurora more vividly than the eye. Meteorologists also suggest keeping your eyes on the northern horizon.