Severe Geomagnetic Storm Threatens Communications and Power Grids

A powerful solar storm could disrupt infrastructure and create visible auroras across much of the U.S.

The National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center has classified the solar storm as a G4, with a potential to escalate to a G5.
The storm, driven by coronal mass ejections, is expected to reach Earth between early Thursday and Friday, traveling at over 2.5 million miles per hour.
Potential impacts include disruptions to communications, power grids, and satellite operations, prompting notifications to FEMA and power grid operators.
Auroras may be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California, with the possibility of even wider visibility if the storm intensifies.
The storm coincides with the solar maximum phase, contributing to increased solar activity and geomagnetic disturbances.