A severe G4 geomagnetic storm has reached Earth, causing heightened aurora activity across the globe with the potential to display the Northern Lights as far south as Alabama and northern California, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Such intense geomagnetic conditions have been sparked by recent solar eruptions that have sent plasma and magnetic material toward Earth, affecting communication systems, satellite operations, and possibly the power grid.
The storm, which had escalated from earlier predictions of moderate strength, is one of the most significant space weather events in recent times. “A G4 storming observed Sunday is considered ‘severe,'” the SWPC noted, indicating a major disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field, though they also assure that “the public should not anticipate adverse impacts and no action is necessary.”
Northern and Southern Lights, or auroras, are typically seen closer to the poles. However, this storm’s intensity could push these natural light displays much further south than usual. The auroras are the result of charged particles from the Sun interacting with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere. “It’s essentially the Sun shooting a magnet out into space,” Bill Murtagh, program coordinator for the SWPC and seasoned space weather forecaster, previously told Nexstar. “That magnet impacts Earth’s magnetic field and we get this big interaction.”
The severity of this geomagnetic disturbance is measured using the NOAA Space Weather Scale, which categorizes storms from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). The current G4 level suggests “significant disturbances” and is not far off from the maximum level on the scale. A G3 event, with a high Kp-index value, previously made the Northern Lights visible as far south as Las Vegas. This time, with a Kp-index of at least 6, residents in areas like Seattle, Minneapolis, Green Bay, and Syracuse may also witness the phenomenon.
Despite the excitement over the potential auroral displays, the storm may pose challenges to various technologies. Geomagnetically induced currents can impact voltage control systems and increase drag on low Earth orbit satellites, affecting their trajectories. “There may be increased and more frequent voltage control problems that are normally mitigable; an increased chance at anomalies or effects to satellite operations; and more frequent and longer periods of GPS degradation possible,” officials stated.
Moreover, the geomagnetic event could have serious implications for navigation and communication systems, including GPS services and high-frequency radio communications, crucial for aviation and maritime operations.
While the SWPC has alerted infrastructure operators to take action to mitigate any possible impacts, it also acknowledges that the effects on the power grid and communication systems should be minimal. “Infrastructure operators have been notified to take action to mitigate any possible impacts,” the SWPC reassured.
Relevant articles:
– ‘Severe’ geomagnetic storm conditions impacting Earth, NOAA says: What to know
– Severe geomagnetic storm could create Northern Lights displays in southern US on Sunday, Monday, Fox Weather, Sun, 24 Mar 2024 20:39:00 GMT
– UPDATE — Severe solar storm will generate auroras as far south as Alabama, Earth.com, Sun, 24 Mar 2024 22:30:00 GMT
– Massive geomagnetic storm creates northern light displays throughout US, New York Post, Sun, 24 Mar 2024 22:46:27 GMT