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Geomagnetic Storm Hits G3 as Earth‑Directed CME Approaches

NOAA expects impacts to strengthen as CME material couples with a high‑speed solar wind stream.

Overview

  • NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch for November 6–7 and confirmed conditions already reached G3 early on November 6 UTC.
  • Active Region 4274 produced two X‑class flares on November 4 and strong M‑class flares on November 5, including an M7.4 that launched a full‑halo CME modeled to arrive late November 6 to early November 7.
  • The November 4 X‑class flares triggered short‑lived radio blackouts, and SWPC now puts flare odds at 70% for M‑class and 25% for X‑class through November 7.
  • Solar wind speed and magnetic field strength are forecast to increase, potentially exceeding 600 km/s as CME ejecta interact with a coronal‑hole high‑speed stream, raising risks of HF/GPS degradation, satellite drag and localized power effects.
  • Auroras are forecast to be widespread across Canada and the northern United States, with visibility possibly extending to Pennsylvania, Iowa and Oregon depending on the CME arrival and magnetic orientation.