Particle.news
Download on the App Store
52 ARTICLES
·
52m ago

NOAA Warns of Severe Geomagnetic Storm as Auroras Spread Across the U.S.

Forecasters await L1 satellite data to nail down the storm’s peak, with possible hits to radio, GPS, satellites and power grids.

Image
The Northern Lights glow above a sign at Mount Tamalpais State Park in Mill Valley, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The phenomenon could be visible again Tuesday and Wednesday in California.
Image
Image

Overview

  • NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a G4 (severe) watch for Nov. 12, flanked by a G2 watch for Nov. 11 and a G3 watch for Nov. 13.
  • Multiple recent X‑class flares, including an X5.1, launched several CMEs toward Earth, with the latest described as the fastest and most energetic of the group.
  • Auroras have already been photographed across numerous states on Tuesday night, with visibility forecast to reach as far south as Alabama and northern California depending on conditions.
  • Forecasters caution that storm timing and intensity remain uncertain until solar-wind monitors about 1 million miles from Earth detect the CMEs, providing roughly 15–60 minutes of lead time.
  • Potential effects include HF radio blackouts, GPS and navigation errors, satellite issues and grid voltage control problems, though widespread long-duration outages are not expected.