Solar storm brings the northern lights

Colorful lights over Brighton Beach
The northern lights pulse and race across the sky during a previous geomagnetic storm June 23, 2015 over Brighton Beach in Duluth, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News 2015

Skywatchers have been treated to spectacular aurora displays across Minnesota as a geomagnetic storm plays in Earth's magnetic field.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center this may be a minor geomagnetic storm, but the resulting northern lights are a sight to behold.

A minor geomagnetic storm brings the northern lights
A G1 (Minor) storm warning has been issued through 31/0200 EDT (31/0600 UTC). Solar wind speeds have become elevated due to a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS), triggering a geomagnetic response. G1 levels were observed at 31/0559 EDT (31/0859 UTC).
NOAA

According to NOAA, the chances of seeing aurora are pretty good from north of the Twin Cities. The best chances come from watching in a dark place as far north as you can go. The farther north, the better the view when it comes to northern lights.

The light pollution map can help you find a dark area near you.

Minnesotans capture the lights

Instagram has lit up with photos of the aurora. Here are a few of our followers' stunning pics. Tag your northern lights photos with #mprphotos for a chance to be added to the gallery.

A post shared by Christopher Paris (@christopherparisart) on Mar 31, 2017 at 5:52am PDT

A post shared by Charlie Smith (@arrowhead_shores) on Mar 31, 2017 at 1:11am PDT

A post shared by Tracy Lund ? (@tlilyl) on Mar 30, 2017 at 10:57pm PDT

A post shared by Dawn LaPointe (@dawn.lapointe) on Mar 29, 2017 at 8:21am PDT

A post shared by Joe Polecheck (@joepolecheck) on Mar 29, 2017 at 5:19am PDT

A post shared by Radiant Spirit Gallery (@radiantspiritgallery) on Mar 29, 2017 at 4:37am PDT

A post shared by @j_callahan_photography on Mar 28, 2017 at 3:20pm PDT