The Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as SWPC, held a press conference on Wednesday October 9th to alert the media about a Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch. This storm was ignited by a Coronal Mass ejection that erupted from our sun on the evening of October 8th, 2024.
Video coronagraph footage from the SWPC shows the Coronal Mass Ejection alongside a coincidental photobomb from the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Comet
This fast-moving solar flash sent radiation particles hurdling towards earth, with the potential to envelop earth’s magnetic field causing a G4 Class or severe Geomagnetic Storm. This particular storm was analyzed and anticipated to reach earth on October 10th. Indeed the CME arrived Thursday at 11:15 AM Eastern Time, causing SWPC to upgrade its Storm Watch to a Storm Warning.
According to SWPC, a space weather storm of this classification has the potential to produce problematic induced currents on power grids, and cause upper atmospheric conditions that are capable of creating disruptions for communication and navigation technology. In light of these developments, SWPC has alerted FEMA about the potential for interference with ongoing hurricane recovery efforts.
Solar flares are not an uncommon occurrence, but their frequency and intensity have been known to increase during what experts refer to as “Solar Maximum” – a naturally recurring phase of 11 year solar cycles. This solar cycle is nearing maximum. With clear skies, a storm of this size could produce a stunning light show by triggering the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights phenomenon as far south as California and Alabama. A similar event was responsible for the Aurora displays of May 10th, 2024.
For more information about this storm and space weather in general, visit NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center online at https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/.
