IN PHOTOS: Northern lights paint the skies over Innisfil, Bradford

You didn’t have to look hard to find a spectacular light show last night.

Clear skies allowed much of southern Simcoe County to take in the aurora borealis — also known as northern lights — Thursday. Reports of the phenomenon were posted to social media shortly after sunset, and carried on for several hours.

In Innisfil, good crowds gathered along the waterfront at Innisfil Beach Park. Many stargazers had their phones out and pointed to the sky, capturing the vibrant green, purple and red hues above.

But shots were also captured from other spots around the area, including farm fields in Innisfil and along the 8th Line in Bradford. 

America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center said Thursday evening the auroras were triggered by a powerful geomagnetic storm, which registered at a "severe" G4 level. 

Geomagnetic storms are a major disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field. For more information and forecasts, visit swpc.noaa.gov.