US Space Weather Prediction Center Issues Geomagnetic Storm Watch

A geomagnetic storm watch has been announced by the US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) for February 27 and February 28. The solar storm forecast is due to a massive hole splitting the Sun’s corona open

The Sun’s corona is an outer layer of energized gas called plasma, which extends for millions of miles into space. The corona traps charged particles that escape the Sun, but sometimes these particles are released through coronal hole tears. For instance, a minor geomagnetic storm has been caused due to a gaping hole in the Sun’s corona that took place today.

The SWPC stated that a G1 Minor geomagnetic storm watch is now in effect for February 27 and February 28 as a result of anticipated impacts linked to a coronal hole high-speed stream.

The increased solar wind is expected to continue until Thursday, February 28 while the elevated solar wind speed is thought to continue until Friday, March 1, before it gets weaker.

Fortunately, the SWPC does not predict any minor or greater solar radiation storms developing over our planet this week.

Usually, geomagnetic storms are linked to a vast array of devastating effects such as radio communication blackouts and instability in the power grid. Satellite operations, weak power grid fluctuations, and an impact on migratory animals are results of minor G1 storms. The presence of auroras around the north and south pole is also another side effect of geomagnetic storms.

Extreme G5 storms can result in widespread devastation by collapsing whole power grids, blocking out radio signals, and severely interrupting spacecraft and satellites.

G5 storms that took place in the past have caused aurora lights to be seen as far south as Texas and Florida in the USA. Luckily, the effects of today’s G1 storm will hardly be noticeable if there are any at all.

Forecasters believe northern aurora effects will extend down across Canada and touch the northernmost US states. Radio communication should also remain stable for the remainder of the week, and overall solar activity should stay at “very low levels” between February 27 and March 1.

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