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NOAA Warns of Rare S4 Solar Radiation Storm, Strongest in Over Two Decades

Experts expect localized disruptions, not widespread public outages.

Overview

  • The Space Weather Prediction Center reports an S4 radiation storm now underway, the first at this level since October 2003.
  • Alerts went to NASA, the FAA, FEMA, NERC, airlines and satellite operators as agencies take precautionary steps to protect missions and infrastructure.
  • Forecasters say auroras could reach unusually low latitudes, potentially as far south as Alabama and northern California.
  • The disturbance follows an X-class solar flare that launched a coronal mass ejection, with a geomagnetic impact detected Monday afternoon.
  • Risks include degraded GPS accuracy, HF radio blackouts and increased radiation exposure for astronauts and polar flights, with continued monitoring for additional eruptions this week.