See photos of northern lights in Florida as aurora borealis visible in night sky

Kim Luciani, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·5 min read

A spectacular and rare sight was visible across Florida Friday.

Aurora borealis, or northern lights, left many watchers in awe as pink and purple hues painted the night sky.

"I’m truly in awe that I’m seeing the Northern Lights in FLORIDA! Just… incredible," David Reese posted on X from Tallahassee.

Strong solar flares discharged from the sun caused northern lights to be visible across much of the U.S.

The emissions even caused the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to issue a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch, the first in 19 years. The storms can interfere with communications.

Viewers across the Sunshine State took to social media to share photos of the awe-inspiring display.

Northern lights seen in Florida Friday

Have the northern lights ever been seen in Florida before? Carrington Event of 1859

Though rare, Florida has seen northern lights before.

In 1989, the aurora borealis appeared on the First Coast was visible in a red glow tinged with pale green and white streaks, the Florida Times-Union reported.

Northern lights were visible as far as South Florida in 1981, though reports indicate they were much less impressive.

Then there was the Carrington Event of 1859 tinting the sky bright red and green which may have been the most powerful solar flare on record, according to NOAA.

Will the northern lights be visible in Florida again Saturday?

There's a chance. Significant geomagnetic storms will persist through the weekend and, weather permitting, northern lights may again be visible Saturday night across much of the U.S., the National Space Weather Prediction Center reported.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Northern lights in Florida: Amazing photos show aurora borealis