Rare Aurora Borealis Lights Up Central Texas Skies Amid Geomagnetic Storm

A geomagnetic disturbance that extended the northern lights' visibility further south than usual on Thursday night captivated residents of Central Texas with a rare display of the aurora borealis. A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm alert was issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center, indicating a significant disruption in the magnetic field of Earth.

Avery Tomasco, a meteorologist, advised residents to "look to the north after dark," as this was the second chance for Central Texans to observe the northern lights in 2024. The phenomenon also captivated the attention of Texas emergency responders who were deployed to North Carolina for hurricane relief earlier in the week. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) personnel also reported on social media that they were able to observe the northern lights while assisting with the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

‍

Reports of aurora sightings were received from a variety of locations, including the Leander Fire Department, which reported that personnel at Station 1 observed the phenomenon. CBS Austin received a plethora of photographs from viewers in Georgetown, Bastrop, and Kyle, which illustrated the breathtaking display of vibrant lights. This extraordinary event brought pleasure to the residents, reminding them of the beauty that nature can provide, even in unexpected locations.

‍