5 Things You Need to Know About the Sun’s Latest Geomagnetic Storm That Could Disrupt Your Weekend
- Expect potential GPS and radio signal disruptions, particularly during Friday night and Saturday morning, as the storm shakes Earth’s magnetic field.
- The Northern Lights may be visible far south of their usual range, possibly reaching as low as Iowa, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, depending on storm intensity.
- Power grid operators are on alert for voltage fluctuations, but widespread blackouts are not expected for this moderate-level event.
- Satellite communications, including Starlink and aviation systems, could experience minor interference, so check for delays if you’re flying.
- The storm originates from a powerful solar flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) that hit Earth’s magnetosphere, a common source for these events.