Solar storm prediction today: NOAA raises geomagnetic storm alert; may hit powergrid

Solar storm prediction today: NOAA raises geomagnetic storm alert; may hit powergrid

Solar storm prediction today: NOAA space weather prediction has it that the Earth will be hit and auroras can be expected.

Solar storm prediction today: NOAA alert says that there may actually be powergrid fluctuations. (NASA)

A solar storm may hit the Earth and spark some beautiful auroras across the northern skies, reveals a NOAA alert. Those living in Canada especially can get the chance to catch the vibrant hues in the best detail. The aurora would be the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) by the Sun. And even though it may have traveled so far across space to hit Earth, the storm would still pack a lot of power when it hits. It would be enough to cause the generation of auroras that is likely to bring great joy to skywatchers as well as photographers alike.

Where will the solar storm hit Earth?

According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the potential impact area on our planet is primarily located poleward at about 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. NOAA expects a Geomagnetic K-index of 4.

Will this solar storm affect powergrid

According to the NOAA report, “Weak power fluctuations can occur.”

However, these geomagnetic storms can also overload powergrids and cause outages. One really massive outage occured in Canada in Quebec way back in 1989. Notably, the entire area was left without electricty for hours. In fact, it caused the Hydro-Quebec electrical grid to go virtually collapse, causing huge damage as well as leaving the public without power including emergency services which were all caught off-guard..

This also means that every time a geomagnetic storm is predicted, powergrid companies have to rush to protect their systems by taking various measures.

Where will this solar storm spark Auroras?

According to NOAA, the solar storm may spark auroras at high latitudes such as Canada and in he US, especially up north in Alaska.

The solar storm is also expected to disrupt radio communications for minutes on end.

How solar storms spark geomagnetic storms?

Simply put, when the Sun erupts its sends huge amounts of energy (plasma) into space. If some gets directed at Earth, the result is a Geomagnetic storm. All the energy that the solar storm packs hits the Earth’s magnetic field sparking the geomagnetic storm. The magnetic field actually saves humans from getting killer doses of radiation.