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 severe (G4-level) geomagnetic storm, caused by an X-class solar flare and coronal mass ejection, recently impacted Earth, leading to expectations of strong auroral displays visible across a wide geographic range.
This intense geomagnetic activity can disrupt crucial systems, including communications (GPS, high-frequency radio for aviation), potentially damage satellites, and strain power grids.
The current heightened solar activity is attributed to the Sun nearing the peak of its 11-year cycle (Cycle 25), which has proven unusually dramatic compared to previous cycles.

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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.