Warnings that the Earth will be exposed to solar storms within hours

Arabia Weather - Although seeing the aurora borealis is usually considered associated with natural phenomena such as these, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), which is affiliated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), warned on Sunday of a large magnetic storm approaching Earth. .

The SWPC issued a geomagnetic storm watch alert Saturday evening, just as a coronal mass ejection was on track to reach Earth through Monday. The agency indicated that geomagnetic storms may reach G2 “moderate” and G3 “strong” levels.

However, the SWPC warned on Sunday that the storm had reached "severe" G4 conditions, according to The Hill.

The 23 March CME arrived at around 24/1411 UTC. Severe (G4) geomagnetic storming has been observed and is expected to continue through the remainder of the 24 March-UTC day and into the first half of 25 March. pic.twitter.com/CDXQtyv4yp

— NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) March 24, 2024

What is a coronal mass ejection?

A coronal mass ejection, also known as a CME, is typically an explosion of plasma and magnetic material from the surface of the Sun, and can reach Earth within 15 to 18 hours, according to NOAA information.

A coronal ejection can create currents in Earth's magnetic field, sending particles toward the north and south poles. When these particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, they can create the stunning northern lights known as the aurora borealis.

A full halo CME was detected in NASA/SOHO coronagraph imagery as seen in this https://t.co/aKDvZ0ApRZ video showing the massive CME departing the Sun. The CME was associated with the X1 (R3) flare and SWPC forecasters are now analyzing for Earth-directed potential. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/gs9n8VZt8S

— NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) March 23, 2024

In turn, Bill Murdock, SWPC project coordinator and space weather forecaster, explained that the Sun essentially releases a magnetic field into space, and this magnetic field affects the Earth's magnetic field, which ultimately causes this major phenomenon to occur.

This interaction is called a geomagnetic storm, and its strength affects the visibility of the northern lights at the poles. Geomagnetic storms can also affect navigation, communications, and radio signals. Typically, G1 storms have minor impacts on the power grid, satellite operations, and the movement of migratory animals. As for very large storms, they may disrupt satellites, communications networks, and electrical distribution.

Solstice of the solar cycle

As for the severity of the storm, SWPC indicated that geomagnetic storms reaching G4 conditions have been reported, and are expected to continue for hours to come.

NOAA notes that approaching the peak is accompanied by fluctuations in the arctic and antarctic solar cycle, which typically occur over a period of 11 to 25 years.

During this period, a variety of space weather events can occur, including geomagnetic storms and the northern lights that can reach Earth.

Read also:

NASA is developing a system to predict solar storms half an hour before they hit Earth

The current solar cycle will reach its peak in 2025 and is expected to be one of the strongest solar cycles