Alert! Geomagnetic storm to hit Earth again today, may impact power grids, satellites and radio systems
The G-2 level geomagnetic storm may impact power systems, spacecraft, satellite operations and some other systems at high-latitudes.
As per US space weather tracking agency, a geomagnetic storm is set to hit Earth on September 27. The storm may impact power systems, spacecraft, satellite operations and some other high latitude systems. Different from a solar storm, a geomagnetic storm results from by the solar wind.
A Geomagnetic Storm Watch was issued by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Monday, September 27. The SWPC predicts a moderate G2-level geomagnetic storm.
As per the agency, the geomagnetic storm’s likely impact will be located primarily in the region from 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude till the poles and may impact satellites and cause electricity grid fluctuations.
A geomagnetic storm is caused when the Earth’s magnetosphere is disturbed when there is interaction between the space environment surrounding the planet and solar wind. The largest storms resulting from such conditions are linked to solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), as per SWPC.
As per the impacts listed by the SWPC, the geomagnetic storm can possibly cause an aurora that may be visible lower than 60-degree geomagnetic latitudes, up till New York and Idaho.
It must be noted that G2 are moderate level geomagnetic storms that do not cause major damage or disruption. As per SPWC, high-latitude power systems may see voltage alarms. If the storm continues for a long time, it may result in damage to some transformers. Satellites and spacecrafts may require corrective actions to be done by ground control, as orbit predictions may be affected. Other systems like high-frequency (HF) radio propagation at higher latitudes may fade.