Late on Friday night, a breathtaking natural phenomenon occurred as the northern lights graced the skies of California, reaching as far south as Los Angeles County. The stunning display of pink and purple lights spread across the sky, captivating viewers and prompting them to share their awe-inspiring photos on social media platforms.

The rare nighttime spectacle was predominantly visible in the high desert areas and along Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest. One astounded observer shared, "Never would've dreamed of seeing #aurora here, much less capturing it with an iPhone. Breathtaking."

Typically confined to polar regions, the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, made an extraordinary appearance in the continental United States this weekend. This awe-inspiring event was made possible by an unusually strong solar storm.

The northern lights occur due to supercharged collisions between solar energy and the Earth's atmosphere. These collisions ignite the gases, resulting in the remarkable colorful lights that paint the night sky. The stunning phenomenon usually graces polar areas; however, during particularly intense solar storms, the lights extend their reach and create captivating displays even farther south.

For the first time since January 2005, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch, signaling the presence of a concentrated burst of energy from the sun. This high-energy solar activity has the potential to disrupt Earth's electromagnetic field.

Geomagnetic storms, caused when energy from solar wind interacts with Earth's electromagnetic field, typically deflect atomic particles away. However, under certain circumstances, particularly powerful bursts of energy can create geomagnetic storms strong enough to disturb various communication systems. NOAA has reported "power grid irregularities" and even disruptions to GPS signals as a result of the ongoing storm.

Despite these disruptions, the captivating beauty of the northern lights spreading across the California skies presents a remarkable sight for those fortunate enough to witness it. If you missed the spectacle on Friday night, there is still a chance to catch a glimpse, as the storm is expected to persist through Sunday. To witness this mesmerizing display, simply look north.

The appearance of the northern lights in California serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders of nature. As the storm continues to make its presence known, observers are encouraged to seize the opportunity to experience this rare event. Stay tuned for updates as the captivating phenomena unfold.

Note: Times staff writers Corinne Purtill and Jaclyn Cosgrove contributed to this article.