What might cause an exoplanet to be uninhabitable for periods, that is not obvious to potential colonizers?

I am writing a science fiction short story, which is loosely about terraforming. The drama takes place on a terraforming site, which has been halted, in its early phases, due to the discovery that the planet goes through an uninhabitable period in its cycle. It could be every 50 years, or it could be every 250 years, the time and duration of the events doesn't really matter, but something must happen to the planet, which would render it uninhabitable for a period. The event has to be something that wouldn't be spotted at first. The people wouldn't start the difficult process of terraforming/inhabiting the planet if they knew they'd have to abandon it. If anyone has any ideas and could get back to me that would be really helpful.

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What might cause an exoplanet to be uninhabitable for periods, that is not obvious to potential colonizers?

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