Northern Lights Dazzle Canadians Just As Summer Begins

Talk about a spectacular way to welcome the summer season!

Canadians right across the country were treated to a celestial light show as auroras lit up the sky, leading to a flurry of fantastic photos from the West Coast to Ontario on Monday night.

A series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun led to a geomagnetic storm with northern lights that were visible across southern Canada.

The show came just one day after the solstice, marking the first official day of summer. We think it's a sign of a wonderful season to come.

Here are 16 incredible photos of the northern lights:

Northern delights #northernlights #aurora #vancouver #porteaucove
A photo posted by Jeff Rambharack (@flyinasunbeam) on Jun 23, 2015 at 9:06am PDT

Always stay up for #auroraborealis. Work is for #aurorasnorealis. #northernlights #aurora #vancouver #porteaucove
A photo posted by Jeff Rambharack (@flyinasunbeam) on Jun 23, 2015 at 9:10am PDT

#northernlights #vancity #vancouver #glow #night #stars #kitsilano #kits #spanishbanks #colours #coolpic
A photo posted by Jesse Conn (@jesse72) on Jun 23, 2015 at 2:35am PDT

such a magical moment #aurora #porteaucove #vancitybuzz #230am #northernlights #d600 #nikon #speechless #wishyoucouldseeit
A photo posted by chiuer (@chiuer) on Jun 23, 2015 at 4:58am PDT

yup , it is what you think it is #totallyworthit #230am #vancitybuzz #porteaucove #northernlights #aurora
A photo posted by chiuer (@chiuer) on Jun 23, 2015 at 4:55am PDT

It's not too often that the northern lights are visible from my city, so I rushed out at midnight to take photos. I ended up being on my feet for 17 hours straight today because of this but it was worth it! Taken at 2:01AM this morning. Timelapse coming soon! #nikon #canada #vancouver #pnw #vancity #exploretocreate #explorebc #instamood #longexpoelite #hot_shotz #explorecanada #landscape_captures #natgeotravel #vancitybuzz #instagoodmyphoto #rsa_sky #imagesofcanada #welltraveled #shareyourparadise #justgoshoot #lazyshutters #greatnorthcollective #landscapelover #aurora #sky_sultans #liveauthentic #northernlights #westcoast_exposures #theworldshotz #huffpostgram
A photo posted by Tristan Todd (@tristan.todd.photography) on Jun 23, 2015 at 6:42am PDT

Now I can say I've seen a Major Aurora show from one of the most beautiful place on Earth. Shot at 2 am last night in @tourismtofino. #tofino #aurora
A photo posted by Steve Robert (@steverobert1) on Jun 23, 2015 at 8:48am PDT

My first attempt at astrophotography.
A photo posted by Kelly_gibbons_ (@kelly_gibbons_) on Jun 23, 2015 at 6:58am PDT

Aurora Borealis was very cool to see for the first time last night.
A photo posted by Kelly_gibbons_ (@kelly_gibbons_) on Jun 23, 2015 at 8:58am PDT

From last nights #solarstorm . although the kp index showed Aurora well into the southern united states, the #solstice made the night more like dusk and washed out the majority of the #auroraborealis. #laclabiche #travelalberta #northernlights
A photo posted by Jon Dickson (@jon_dickson_photography) on Jun 23, 2015 at 8:49am PDT

(Photo courtesy of Alija Bos Photography)

The northern lights were dancing above our farmyard last night June 22, 2015 near midnight. Spectacular blues, greens, purple, and red colors flowed like waves across the sky with more movement than I've seen for some time. It was an awe-inspiring event that I can't imagine growing tired of. #exploresask#color#blue#green#red#purple #wapellask #northernlights #auroraborealis #lights #nightshot #north #night#nightlights#prairies#prariesky#exploreca #prairielandscape#southeast #saskachewan #sask#canada#aurora#longexposure #timeexposure#saskhiker
A photo posted by Alvin Nixon (@roxylou27) on Jun 23, 2015 at 8:48am PDT

Nothing like starting off the summer with a good ol' geomagnetic storm. ✨
A photo posted by Karyn (@_soley_) on Jun 23, 2015 at 9:21am PDT

Marveling under a canopy of dancing green lights while the rest of the nation sleeps. #finandbone #outdoors #northernlights #aurora #sky #night #lights #exploremb #manitoba #canada #canadian #explorecanada #urbanoutdoors #itsinmynature #night #truck #ford #green #north #dark #nature #marvel #beauty #adventure #explore
A photo posted by Info@finandbone.ca (@finandbone) on Jun 23, 2015 at 8:43am PDT

Last #night over #Kincardine after the #storm swept through, there were #gorgeous #auroras! #northernlights #brucecounty #ontario #DiscoverON #canadianartist #sky #stars #solarstorm #auroraborealis
A photo posted by Sarah Chisholm (@sarahchisholmartist) on Jun 23, 2015 at 9:07am PDT