PORTLAND, Oregon — Sky-watchers around the Pacific Northwest caught a dazzling show over the weekend: the northern lights paired with the Perseid meteor shower.
Solar storms produced colorful auras across the Northern Hemisphere. Since Saturday, the sun has shot out at least five strong solar flares containing high-energy place. The flares can interfere with power grids and GPS signals, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, no major problems have been reported. The sun's magnetic field is at the peak of its 11-year cycle, which increases the frequency of storms and aurora displays.
Perseid meteors have been visible for weeks. The shower happens around mid-July to late August. This year, it was expected to peak on Aug. 12.
Several KGW viewers have been submitting photos of the colorful skies they saw Sunday night.
In Damascus, Tom Griswold reported seeing the northern lights while watching the Perseid meteor shower. Griswold shared a photo of the sky glowing in purple and pink hues around 11:40 p.m. on Aug. 11.
Rejeania Heide also saw glowing pink skies and said they saw many meteors.
Alethea Baldado reported seeing the northern lights above Hayden Island in Portland. Baldado shared the photo below, showing faint colors in the sky.
Jay Shah watched the aurora borealis from an impressive backdrop.
"Sky on fire! Tonight's northern lights over Mount Hood from Trillium Lake, Oregon," Shah said in a post on Instagram.
Didn't have the chance to catch the lights display? NOAA said solar flares are likely to continue into Tuesday, but it's unclear how favorable solar wind conditions may be.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
