The Aurora forecast page:
http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForeca��
If you want to see the aurora winter is a must, and it is more dramatic when there is little or no moon, the darker the better to see them. Also if you get away from towns and the light they throw once again you are more likely to see impressive aurora. Late night seems to be the most active time. Ask locals they will tell you they see the best aurora on the last trip to the outhouse before bed. people with indoor plumbing miss all the best shows.
I apologize as I am not a photographer, and hence not a good judge, but this article appeared to have lots of information for photographing the Aurora, and the photographer is local with some very nice work, and his advice on handling cold and dressing is right on.
http://www.alaskaphotographics.com/how_t��
And here is a great source of climate information:
http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/
Now this last bit is completely biased, but if you came in Feb you could also see and photograph the Yukon Quest, an amazing 1000 mile dog sled race.
http://www.yukonquest.com/
It is probably going to be fairly cold in february and march, but it could be either up to 30 or 40 degrees, or negative10 to -20. It is pretty
unpredictable to narrow down very much because our weather system
is pretty volatile but I can tell you to bring warm clothes and a warm jacket. Fairbanks is typically quite a bit colder than Anchorage in the
winter. We get the northern lights here but they are stronger in fairbanks because that is up north on the Parks Highway about 300 miles. Also february would be better for viewing the Northern Lights. I hope you have a good time here if you make it here.
I saw Northern Lights every day when I was near Fairbanks but they were usually just pale green lights on the horizon. One time the lights were directly overhead, were many colors that moved in spirals and were absolutely mind blowing. but you can_t count on that.
Hope this helps.
The aurora is caused by two things - sunspots and solar flares. Sun spots follow an 11 year cycle and we are in a very low period. Solar flares are unpredictable. Lucky for us the same thing that causes the aurora also kills communications satellites - and from my web site you can join an email list from the government and receive some warning - it_s not perfect, but, sure beats sleeping on the couch and poking your head out the door every hour when it is -45F.
Good info so far. I live in North Pole, just south of Fairbanks and it can get to +10F in the day and -35F at night in Feb. March you can get up to +45 in the day and swing back down to -35F at night.
The end of Feb and early are March are the best time for Photographers to come to Fairbanks. Traditionally this is a good time for the aurora, but - there are other photo ops if the aurora is a no show. The NCOA dog sled championships are started in the middle of the city and this is a great day time photo op. The International Ice Carving Championship is in full swing and this is both a good daytime and awesome nighttime photo op. Hundreds of ice sculptures all lighted in different colored light. Very nice.
You will need to get out of the city to see the aurora. This can be potentially life threatening. There are 4 roads that lead out of Fairbanks and not much traffic on any of them in the middle of the night. Dress warm, bring an emergency sleeping bag, blankets, candles, flashlights, etc etc in your rental car. Very important to let your hotel front desk know where you are going, and that they call the troopers if you are not back by 5am - tip them.
I am usually at both the dog races, ice park and out aurora hunting during that period. You are welcome to tag along. I hold regular aurora photo classes and always let others know when I am out - so they can poach secrets and camera settings from me - lol.
Feel free to email me with any area or aurora questions!
Kevin
