Here’s why the Northern Lights made it to Texas

On Thursday night, greens, purples, and pinks danced in the night sky across the United States. Those vivid colors were the Northern Lights and reached as far as Spring Branch.

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Sightings of the Northern Lights also known as the Aurora Borealis have been more frequent this year. In May, they were visible across the Lone Star State.

The rare visibility of the Northern Lights in SE Texas is caused by powerful geomagnetic storms produced by the sun. These are more frequent now because the Sun’s 11-year cycle is heading into peak activity called solar maximum. During this peak, magnetic fields build up releasing energy leading to more coronal mass ejections that cause charged particles of oxygen and nitrogen creating the beautiful Northern Lights. The stronger these storms the farther south people can see them.

If you are hoping to see them again you might be in luck! The sun may produce more powerful storms through the middle of 2025.