A strong geomagnetic storm produced brilliant displays of Northern Lights as far south as Dauphin Island Thursday night.

Photos from across the state show lights in the sky created when charged particles created by a solar or geomagnetic storm interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and the air in the upper atmosphere. The stronger the storm, the more vivid the colors and the further south they are visible.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the coronal mass ejection, or CME that was originally rated a G3 intensified to a G4 Thursday afternoon. A G4 watch, the second-highest issued by SWPC, will continue through Oct. 11.

CMEs that size can create interruptions in satellite and and GPS services. SWPC said it has alerted infrastructure operators and authorities so that issues could be mitigated.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham shared a graphic showing what the colors you’re seeing mean.

More pictures from around Alabama