Geomagnetic Storm Disrupts Satellite Communications, Power Grids Across Northern Hemisphere
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A severe geomagnetic storm, triggered by a powerful coronal mass ejection from the Sun, impacted Earth's magnetic field on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread disruptions to satellite communications and electrical power grids across the Northern Hemisphere.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, the storm reached G4 intensity, the second-highest level on the scale, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The event began with a series of solar flares recorded on Monday, followed by the ejection of charged particles that traveled toward Earth at speeds exceeding 1.5 million miles per hour.
Authorities in Canada, Scandinavia, and the northern United States reported intermittent radio blackouts and voltage irregularities in transmission lines. In Norway, officials temporarily halted air traffic control operations to reroute flights away from high-latitude regions. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency urged utility companies to activate contingency plans to prevent transformer damage.
The storm also produced vivid auroras visible as far south as Nebraska and central France. However, experts warn that residual effects may persist over the next 48 hours, potentially affecting GPS accuracy and low-orbit satellite functions. Operators of critical infrastructure have been advised to monitor systems closely.