Strongest solar storm this century delivers spectacular northern lights show

Although skies over Finland were generally cloudy, some lucky stargazers captured spectacular images.

The northern lights dancing over Pudasjärvi in North Ostrobothnia. Video: Markku Antikainen

Yle News

22.1. 12:48

Exceptionally vivid aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, have been observed over Finland during the past few days.

The spectacular show was caused by a very powerful solar storm, which Finnish weather researcher Ilja Honkonen said is the strongest on record since 1991.

A coronal mass ejection (CME) was emitted from the sun on Sunday evening, according to astronomers, and its impact was enhanced by the release of a cloud of gas.

When a CME reaches Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, causing the aurora borealis.

Unfortunately, the effects of this celestial event coincided with cloudy skies over Finland on Wednesday evening, although many stargazers had sent photos and videos to Yle from Tuesday night's vibrant show.

Here is a selection of the images.

Revontulet metsän yllä. Etualalla kuvaa on lampaita lumihangessa. — How the northern lights looked over Kuusamo. Image: Julia Tahkola-Ronkainen

Northern lights over a snow-covered forest landscape. — Photo taken near Rovaniemi on Tuesday evening. Image: Latif Gërguri

Värikkäitä revontulia talvisessa maisemassa. — Near the city of Oulu. Image: Rami Moilanen / Yle

Revontulet kuvattuna kerrostalon yllä — Just outside the city of Kuopio. Image: Jukka Eskanen / Yle

The All Points North podcast went chasing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena via Apple or Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.