Solar Storm Hits ‘Severe’ G4 Level

The International Civil Aviation Organization reported severe impacts on high-frequency radio communications at high latitudes, potentially impacting long-haul flights.

Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 02:08 PM ET

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Aurorae dance over Ashokan Reservoir in upstate New York during the May 10/11, 2024, geomagnetic storm — the last time a G4-level watch was issued. [Credit: Chirag Upreti]

Key Takeaways:

A G4-level geomagnetic storm, triggered by an X-class solar flare and coronal mass ejection, arrived at Earth on October 8, 2024, expected to produce strong auroral displays visible across the northern U.S. and potentially as far south as Alabama.
This intense space weather poses risks to critical infrastructure, including disruptions to communications (GPS, aviation radio), potential damage to satellites, and strain on power grids.
The event is part of heightened solar activity as the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year Cycle 25, which is now anticipated to occur in 2024.

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On October 8, an X-class solar flare gave rise to a coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted from the surface of the Sun, racing toward Earth at 1.5 million mph (2.4 million km/h). It arrived at Earth at 11:15 a.m. EDT Thursday. At 12:57 p.m. EDT, the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported that the geomagnetic storm triggered by the CME had reached G4 status — the second highest level.

SWPC expects strong auroral shows tonight. Aurorae are expected across the northern U.S., and could be seen as far south as Alabama.