One of the reasons we were so excited about moving to Skellefteå was the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. We'd seen countless photos and videos of this phenomenon and dreamt of experiencing it first-hand. Summer was fading, but we learned from our friends that this was just the beginning of the Northern Lights season in Skellefteå.
We eagerly anticipated seeing the aurora during the winter of 2023, but having moved here in November, our chances had diminished significantly. We discovered that the Northern Lights are most likely to appear at the beginning and end of winter when there's more sunlight and fewer clouds. So, in 2024, we vowed not to miss a single opportunity. This also coincided with the sun reaching the peak of its 11-year cycle, promising more intense and frequent auroral displays in 2024 and 2025.
Like most Skellefteå residents, we relied on a Northern Lights app on our phones. Checking it daily became a ritual. We were so eager to see the aurora that every notification sent us scrambling across the city in search of the elusive lights. On weekends, we often found ourselves chasing the aurora late into the night, sometimes until 3am..
There were a few regrettable instances where we ignored notifications, only to discover stunning aurora photos on the "VisitSkellefteå" page the next day. Initially, we weren't sure where to find the best viewing spots. However, an article in Norran English titled Discover the magic: chasing the Northern Lights in Skellefteå provided valuable insights, suggesting locations like Kåge harbour and Boviken beach, both easily accessible from our home in Kåge.
Despite numerous attempts, we didn’t see the aurora. My eagerness grew with each day, and I constantly sought information and experiences from friends and my SFI teachers.
Finally, one evening, the app indicated a reasonable probability. As we approached Kåge harbour, we noticed faint streaks of green in the sky. We were hesitant at first, unsure if it was truly the aurora. However, viewing them through our phone cameras made them appear more distinct and defined. While slightly disappointed that they weren't visible to the naked eye, I was ecstatic to finally witness the Northern Lights, even if only faintly.
Our quest for a truly spectacular auroral display continued into September. We were beginning to lose hope when a friend from Stockholm informed us that they had seen the Northern Lights in the capital. We immediately headed out, and to our surprise, there were already many people outside photographing the sky.
This proved to be an evening of exceptional auroral activity. The lights were far more vibrant and visible to the naked eye. We walked away from the street lights to find a darker spot. Most people had already left, but we were determined to witness the full spectacle. And then, the show began.
The lights intensified, revealing a breathtaking display of green, red, and pink hues. We no longer needed our phones, as the aurora danced across the entire sky. The mesmerising display continued for over an hour, leaving us awestruck. Despite the cold, we were completely captivated and reluctant to leave.
It's not every day you can say, "I saw the Northern Lights in my backyard." We felt incredibly fortunate to have experienced this magical phenomenon in such a remarkable setting. This night would be forever etched in our memories.
This article is a column and the opinions are the writer's own.