DALLAS — The northern lights' colorful show was visible across several states in the U.S. Tuesday night, including in parts of North Texas.

The display came after forecasters issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Tuesday, Nov. 11 and Wednesday, Nov. 12.

View this post on Instagram

The alert was issued because a coronal mass ejection, which is an eruption of solar material and magnetic fields from the Sun's surface, was set to hit Earth late Tuesday into Wednesday. Coronal mass ejections, also known as CMEs, typically produce vivid displays of aurora borealis in states in the northern part of the U.S.

G4-level watches are rare events, and only four alerts have been issued so far this solar cycle, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association .

Here are some

See Full Page