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Severe Geomagnetic Storm Triggers Rare Low-Latitude Auroras as NOAA Issues G4 Alert

Forecasters warn of potential disruptions to satellites, navigation systems and power grids as Earth-directed CMEs continue to arrive.

Overview

  • Multiple powerful solar eruptions, including an X5-class flare, launched several Earth-directed coronal mass ejections between November 9 and 11.
  • NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a severe G4 geomagnetic storm watch and alerts for November 12 after earlier G2 and G3 watches.
  • Vivid auroras have been observed far south of usual zones, with reports across Spain, including the south, and in U.S. states such as Texas, Alabama, Georgia and northern Florida.
  • Mexico’s SCIESMEX/UNAM and NOAA caution that the storm can degrade HF radio, reduce GPS/GNSS accuracy, disrupt satellite operations and stress large power networks, with no direct risk to human health.
  • Forecasters report high confidence in an Earth-directed component but only moderate certainty on exact arrival times and peak intensity, and additional CME arrivals could sustain disturbances into midweek.