A severe solar storm that reached Earth on Thursday could put even more stress on the power grid as the United States struggles with a series of major hurricanes, space weather forecasters say.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Thursday that a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun reached Earth around 11 a.m.
The Space Weather Prediction Center issued multiple alerts and alerts for geomagnetic storm conditions, and by Thursday, Earth was in G4, or severe conditions.
NOAA said severe geomagnetic storms cause major disturbances to the Earth’s magnetic field. Storm strength often varies between low-level and severe storm conditions during an event.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to hit the Earth after the autumnal equinox.
This image provided by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows a solar flare captured in the extreme ultraviolet part of the spectrum, colored red and yellow (right). (NASA/SDO via AP)
Geomagnetic storms can affect power grids, satellites, and GPS technology.
“As the CME continues to advance, severe storms are expected to develop overnight,” NOAA said on its website. “The fluctuations caused by the passage of the CME will result in periods of weakening and rising geomagnetic storm levels.”
Earlier this week, NOAA announced a severe geomagnetic storm watch from Thursday through Friday after an explosion from the sun was detected. Geomagnetic storms can temporarily disrupt power and radio signals.
In preparation for the storm, NOAA notified power plant operators and controllers of spacecraft orbiting Earth to take precautions.
Magnetic storm hits Earth, creates auroras and disrupts radio communications
A power transformer exploded, creating a flash of light in the background as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
NOAA also contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about possible power outages to deal with damage from Hurricane Helen, which made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, and now Hurricane Milton. Notified. Packing wind speeds are up to 190 mph.
Space weather forecasters do not expect this solar storm to surpass the largest solar storm to hit Earth in more than 20 years, which hit Earth in May.
Rob Steenberg, a scientist with the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Florida is far enough south to avoid power outages caused by solar surges, unless they become very large.
Auroras may be seen in some areas this week after ‘strong solar activity’
NOAA issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning after a coronal mass ejecta exploded toward Earth earlier this week. (NOAA)
“This adds a little more comfort level,” Steenberg says. “The reason we’re here is to let them know so they can prepare.”
NOAA space weather forecaster Sean Dahl said experts are more concerned about the potential impact on power grids in areas hit by Hurricane Helen two weeks ago.
The storm could also produce aurora borealis as far south as the lower Midwest and Northern California, but the exact location and time are unknown, NOAA said. Skygazers are reminded to point their smartphones upward to take photos. In many cases, this device can capture aurora borealis that cannot be seen by the human eye.
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May’s solar storm produced dazzling aurora borealis across the Northern Hemisphere, but caused no major disruption.
The Sun is nearing the peak of its current 11-year cycle, causing all of the recent solar activity.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
