Earth is experiencing a level G3 geomagnetic storm Wednesday that will produce aurora borealis, known as the northern lights, after it gets dark.

For the first time since 2003, a G5 geomagnetic storm hit Earth, bringing an array of colors to the sky visible in much of the northern U.S. — including parts of Virginia. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the Northern Lights seen Friday night into Saturday were considered "extreme,

To see the northern lights, NOAA recommends getting to an unobstructed, north-facing vantage point away from city lights. The best time to see the aurora is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, which is when geomagnetic activity can be highest.