Solar storm alert issued TODAY for parts of the US

"A moderate geomagnetic storm watch was issued on Wednesday after holes appeared on the sun. Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth's magnetic field caused by charged particles from the sun, such as solar wind. These storms can trigger minor power grid fluctuations, affect satellite operations and produce auroras visible at high northern latitudes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted the impacts will be minor, mainly manageable effects on some technological infrastructure."

"The alert noted that US states at high latitudes, primarily those above roughly 55° geomagnetic latitude, could experience minor power fluctuations, including the northern regions of Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan and Maine. Other northern states near the Canadian border, like Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, could also be affected. The alert was triggered when the geomagnetic K-index, a measure of disturbances in Earth's magnetic field, reached 5 at 3:46pm ET."

"According to NOAA's forecast, geomagnetic storming is expected to peak between 5pm and 8pmET, with the Kp index reaching about 5.7, which is considered a moderate G2-level storm. The increased activity in Earth's magnetic field has been caused by a stream of fast-moving particles coming from a hole in the sun's atmosphere, called a coronal hole. This stream of particles, known as solar wind, has been traveling at speeds of up to 500 miles per second."

A moderate geomagnetic storm watch was issued after coronal holes produced fast solar wind. Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in Earth's magnetic field caused by charged solar particles. These storms can trigger minor power grid fluctuations, affect satellites and produce auroras at high northern latitudes. NOAA said impacts will be minor and largely manageable for technological infrastructure. States above roughly 55° geomagnetic latitude, including parts of Washington, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan and Maine and other northern border states, could see minor power fluctuations. The K-index hit 5 at 3:46pm ET; storming is forecast to peak 5–8pm ET near Kp 5.7 (G2), driven by solar wind from the coronal hole.

Read at Mail Online