Geomagnetic Storm Disrupts Satellite Communications Across North America
IN WASHINGTON, D.C., A GEOMAGNETIC STORM OF MODERATE INTENSITY IS DISRUPTING SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND GPS SYSTEMS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA.
WHAT: THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION CONFIRMED A G3-CLASS GEOMAGNETIC STORM, THE THIRD MOST POWERFUL LEVEL ON THE AGENCY’S SCALE, IS IMPACTING EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD. THIS HAS TRIGGERED INTERFERENCE IN RADIO FREQUENCIES AND VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS IN POWER GRIDS.
WHEN: THE STORM PEAKED AT APPROXIMATELY 14:00 HOURS GREENWICH MEAN TIME, WITH EFFECTS EXPECTED TO PERSIST THROUGH THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.
WHERE: THE PRIMARY ZONE OF OBSERVED DISRUPTIONS EXTENDS FROM THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES TO SOUTHERN CANADA, WITH POWER GRID OPERATORS ON HIGH ALERT IN REGIONS LIKE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND THE GREAT LAKES.
WHY: THE EVENT WAS CAUSED BY A CORONAL MASS EJECTION FROM A SOLAR FLARE CLASSIFIED AS X1.2, WHICH STRUCK EARTH’S MAGNETOSPHERE AT APPROXIMATELY 18 HOURS GREENWICH MEAN TIME YESTERDAY.
WHO: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, SPACE WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER, AND FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ARE COORDINATING RESPONSES. EXPERTS CAUTION THAT THE VISUAL ASPECTS OF THE STORM MAY PRODUCE AURORAE VISIBLE AS FAR SOUTH AS THE 40TH PARALLEL