PHOTOS and VIDEO: Spectacular northern lights visible in southern Ontario

The sky lit up with a spectacular display of northern lights in southern Ontario.

People captured photos and videos of the aurora borealis across the province including in Mississauga and areas around the GTA on Thursday night.

RELATED: There’s another chance to see northern lights in Ontario this week

Clear skies and solar activity made for perfect conditions to see the lights.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center said the strong geomagnetic storm could produce beautiful northern lights this week.

People were surprised to see the lights in the GTA.

“Incredible. Something I never thought I’d see in a million years in southern Ontario. The Northern lights over Lake Ontario,” one person wrote on X.

Incredible. Something I never thought I’d see in a million years in southern Ontario. The Northern lights over Lake Ontario.#bucketlist #nothernlights #auroraborealis #portcredit #mississauga #lakeontario pic.twitter.com/tZIPS3mV6T

— Julie Grant (@Jubels13) October 11, 2024

“Just when I thought they couldn’t get any better! Seen from my balcony in south Mississauga!” another person said.

Just when I thought they couldn’t get any better! Seen from my balcony in south Mississauga! #Auroraborealis #northernlights #onwx pic.twitter.com/mw0lnvYlin

— Jaclyn Hill (@JaclynHillWx) October 11, 2024

One person managed to get both the northern lights and a shooting star.

OMG OMG!!!! Look at that a shooting star, what a shot!!!! #auroa #northernlights pic.twitter.com/0Ofka2PCRa

— Mark Mandale (@cumbrianbluess) October 10, 2024

Even the police got caught up in the magic.

“You just never know what you might see when YOU patrol with the #OPP. In this case, the beautiful Northern Lights in North Wellington. Traffic Sgt Porterfield was able to get a few pictures earlier tonight,” West Region OPP said.

You just never know what you might see when YOU patrol with the #OPP. In this case, the beautiful Northern Lights in North Wellington. Traffic Sgt Porterfield was able to get a few pictures earlier tonight. Interested in a career, visit https://t.co/XIygVhAIR5 for more info. Have… pic.twitter.com/SgclQWivIq

— OPP West Region (@OPP_WR) October 11, 2024

People were stopping to see the lights in the Wasaga Beach area.

“#NottyOPP received multiple suspicious vehicle calls throughout the night. We confirmed nothing suspicious, just people catching a glimpse of the incredible Northern Lights,” OPP said.

#NottyOPP received multiple suspicious vehicle calls throughout the night. We confirmed nothing suspicious, just people catching a glimpse of the incredible Northern Lights. Were you one of the lucky ones? Share your photos below. ^cj pic.twitter.com/cm4oTWc5l0

— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) October 11, 2024

Video shows the lights over Mississauga.

If you didn’t catch the lights last night, there is still a chance this weekend.

A G4-level or strong geomagnetic storm is expected from Oct. 10 to 12, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center said.