A recent blast of energy from the Sun triggered an ongoing geomagnetic storm warning, which has extended through Tuesday night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a Level 1 warning due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that reached Earth’s atmosphere on Monday. This minor storm is expected to bring vivid displays of the Northern Lights in Canada and Alaska.
According to NASA, the SWPC rates solar storms on a five-level scale, with the most extreme conditions occurring at Level 5. The current storm is rated as Level 1, indicating minimal impacts. However, space weather experts warn that potentially stronger geomagnetic storms are likely as Earth heads into the new year, coinciding with the Sun’s peak activity in its 11-year cycle.
The Sun reached solar maximum, a period of heightened sunspot activity, last week. While this peak activity is expected to continue until 2025, space weather experts caution that strong storms like this one can still occur. In addition to Northern Lights displays, the current storm may also trigger weak power grid fluctuations outside of North America.
As the Sun continues its cycle, it’s essential for monitoring space weather events and preparing for potential impacts on our planet.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/sun-triggers-geomagnetic-storm