A powerful solar storm reached Earth on Thursday, potentially impacting recovery efforts for hurricanes Helene and Milton, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun on Tuesday evening and arrived at our planet at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, traveling at nearly 1.5 million miles per hour (2.4 million kilometers per hour), as reported by NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
Classified at G4 (Severe) levels, the geomagnetic storm has prompted a G4 or higher Geomagnetic Storm Watch that remains in effect through Thursday and into Friday, according to the SWPC. Multiple warnings and alerts have been issued for geomagnetic storm conditions.
The storm could disrupt recovery efforts for hurricanes Helene and Milton by causing communication disruptions, stressing power grids, and degrading GPS services, NOAA warned. These disruptions could hamper coordination and logistics in the affected regions.
Under clear skies, the aurora may be visible as far south as Alabama and northern California on Thursday night, offering a rare spectacle for residents unaccustomed to such celestial displays.
CMEs are significant explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun's corona. When directed at Earth, they interact with our planet's magnetic field, causing geomagnetic storms that have the potential to affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
