A severe G4 geomagnetic storm pushed the northern lights far south, producing pink and red auroras across Texas from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. NOAA's SWPC said two CMEs triggered the storm and a third CME tied to an X5.1 flare was expected to arrive by midday Wednesday. G4 conditions were recorded around 7:40 p.m. CT and could persist overnight, making auroras visible across much of the northern U.S. Experts warn such storms can disrupt satellites, power systems and communications.
Rare G4 Solar Storm Paints Northern Lights Across Texas
A severe G4 geomagnetic storm pushed the northern lights far south, producing pink and red auroras across Texas from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast. NOAA's SWPC said two CMEs triggered the storm and a third CME tied to an X5.1 flare was expected to arrive by midday Wednesday. G4 conditions were recorded around 7:40 p.m. CT and could persist overnight, making auroras visible across much of the northern U.S. Experts warn such storms can disrupt satellites, power systems and communications.
05:46 PM, 11/12/2025Science
Rare G4 Solar Storm Paints Northern Lights Across Texas
Texans didn't have to wait for the holidays for a spectacular sky show. On Tuesday night, a powerful geomagnetic storm pushed the aurora borealis far beyond its usual polar latitudes, painting large swaths of Texas from the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast in vivid pink and red hues.
Photographers and skywatchers captured the display from Amarillo to Crystal Beach and coastal communities. In Amarillo, Blake Brown reported bright red auroras blazing overhead. Rebecca Rushe photographed a soft pink shimmer above Crystal Beach, and Grizzy's Hood News posted images of faint auroras observed near Cleveland, Texas. The National Weather Service office serving Abilene and San Angelo also shared striking photos of red- and pink-tinted skies.
What caused it
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said the display followed two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that combined to produce a G4-level, or "severe," geomagnetic storm — one of the stronger storm classifications in the current solar cycle. G4 watches are uncommon; this was only the fourth such watch issued so far in the cycle.
The first CME erupted from the Sun on Sunday and reached Earth late Tuesday, followed by a second CME that launched about a day later. A third CME, associated with an X5.1-class solar flare — reported as the most powerful flare of 2025 — was expected to arrive by midday Wednesday. The SWPC reported G4-level conditions were observed around 7:40 p.m. CT and warned activity could continue through the night.
Where and how far the aurora was visible
SWPC guidance indicated auroras could be visible across much of the northern United States and potentially as far south as Alabama and parts of northern California, depending on local sky conditions and light pollution. In Texas, the clearest reports came from northern and coastal areas, where darkness and a clear northern horizon improved visibility.
How auroras form
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the Sun collide with atoms and molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere. Guided by Earth's magnetic field toward the polar regions, those energetic particles excite atmospheric gases, which then release light in rippling patterns that appear as curtains, ribbons or patches across the sky.
Viewing tips and potential impacts
To maximize your chance of seeing faint auroras: find a dark location with an unobstructed view to the north, let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 30 minutes, and try pointing a smartphone camera at the sky — long-exposure phone photos can reveal faint colors invisible to the naked eye.
While visually stunning, geomagnetic storms of G4 intensity can also affect satellites, radio communications and power systems. Utilities and satellite operators monitor such events closely because strong storms can induce electrical currents that disrupt infrastructure.
Bottom line: A rare, severe geomagnetic storm sent colorful auroras into Texas skies — a spectacular natural display that also served as a reminder of the space weather that can affect modern technology.