If you were up late Thursday night, the northern skies treated you to a great light show. According to USA Today, residents of Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, and New York joined Wisconsinites in enjoying the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, late Thursday night into early Friday morning.

Courtesy of Alma Vai in Gills Rock

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave people more reason to set their alarms or make it a late night, predicting that the Northern Lights would be impacted by “stronger than anticipated” influences. The colorful, dancing lights are caused by particles flowing from the sun getting caught up in the Earth’s magnetic field.

Picture Courtesy of Collin Steele in Kewaunee County

According to the Planetary K-index, which is used to measure electromagnetic storms, was over 7.3 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Photo courtesy of Becky Hlinak of Kewaunee County

Top picture courtesy of Paula Shefchik, Kewaunee County