You can track the current geomagnetic activity via NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. These kinds of strong geomagnetic conditions may only appear around four days per 11-year solar cycle. Pipeline currents could reach hundreds of amps, HF radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for 1-2 days, and satellite navigation may be degraded for days as well, NOAA says.īut if the skies are clear, a brilliant and intense display of the Northern Lights may reach as far south as Florida and Texas. Still, when they occur, power systems may see widespread voltage control problems and some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts, and transformers may suffer damage. Luckily, storm levels of this magnitude are relatively rare.
On the literal bright side, the Northern Lights may be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.įorecasters estimate these conditions occur for about 60 days total over any given 11-year solar cycle. Satellite navigation could be degraded for hours, HF radio propagation would be sporadic, and low-frequency radio navigation could be disrupted. Satellite and space operations may see surface charging and tracking issues.
#Power grids full#
Power system administrators may be feeling like their hands are getting full as there could be widespread voltage control issues. Voltage corrections may be needed on power systems, and false alarms may be triggered on some protection devices.Īccording to NOAA, the Northern Lights can reach as far south as Washington, Oregon and Illinois with this kind of storm activity.įorecasters say these conditions may be observed on average about 130 days per 11-year solar cycle. Once storm levels reach G3, intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur, and HF radio may be intermittent, NOAA says. These G2 conditions are around on average for about 360 days of the 11-year solar cycle. Views of the Northern Lights may eke down into the far northern reaches of the U.S. HF radio propagation may also fade at higher latitudes. NOAA suggests that high-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms while long-duration G2 storms may cause transformer damage. NOAA estimates G1 conditions may be in effect for 900 days per 11-year (roughly 4,000-day) solar cycle. But it means a good show of the Northern Lights up in Canada and Alaska. G1 storms may trigger weak power grid fluctuations and minor impacts on satellite operations. To help those who depend on systems that could be affected by such solar storms, NOAA has developed a 5-level scale that ranges from G1 to G5 to rate any incoming geomagnetic activity, giving a crucial way to quantify the expected impacts. If the storms are strong enough, the aurora display can reach far south into the U.S., even to California and Texas during the most intense storms. As charged particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, it briefly energizes the molecule, giving off light as it de-energizes. The most well-known effects are the Northern Lights, as they can put on a vivid, colorful display at night during geomagnetic storms. THE DAY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS COVERED THE PLANET: HISTORY OF EARTH'S GREATEST SOLAR STORMS Think of it as the galactic version of scuffing your socks on the carpet and touching something metal.Īny astronauts in space could face increased levels of dangerous radiation and must be shielded.Įven here on the ground, some of the strongest solar storms can reach low enough altitudes to cause voltage surges in power grids that can knock them out, as Montreal and Quebec suffered during the great solar storm of March 13, 1989. Meanwhile, other satellites could build up static electricity charges from the solar stream of energy that could create damage if discharged.
That can increase the drag on those satellites and alter their orbital plane. GPS satellites can also experience communication issues during stronger solar storms.Īs the far reaches of Earth's upper atmosphere heat from a storm's effects, it can expand a bit and reach some low-altitude satellites. With an agitated upper atmosphere, it can make long-range radio difficult and will frequently lead to radio blackout conditions.
Geomagnetic storms are harmless to human health, but they can still have a large effect on our lives.
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