A violent solar storm is heading toward Earth that could strain power grids as the United States faces back-to-back major hurricanes, space meteorologists said Wednesday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Thursday through Friday after a solar flare was detected earlier this week. Such a storm could temporarily cut off the power and radio signals.
NOAA has warned operators of power plants and orbiting spacecraft to take precautions. He also alerted the Federal Emergency Management Agency of possible power outages, as the organization faces the devastating consequences of Hurricane Helene and prepares for Hurricane Milton crossing the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida.
Forecasters don’t expect the latest solar storm to surpass the one that took place slammed the Earth in Maythe strongest in over two decades. But they won’t know for sure until it’s just 1.6 million miles away, where the spacecraft can measure it.
Florida is far enough south to avoid any power interruptions from the solar surge unless it becomes much larger, said scientist Rob Steenburgh of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
“It adds a little more to the comfort level,” Steenburgh said. “The reason we’re here is to let them know so they can prepare.”
Experts are more concerned about the potential effects on power grids in areas hit by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, said Shawn Dahl, a NOAA space meteorologist.
The storm can also trigger northern lights as far as the southern United States such as the lower Midwest and Northern California, although exact locations and times are uncertain, according to NOAA. Skygazers are reminded to point their smartphones upwards to take photos; devices can often capture auroras that human eyes cannot.
May solar storm occurred dazzling auroras in the northern hemisphere and did not cause any major disruption.
The sun is near the peak of its current 11-year cycle, triggering all recent solar activity.
