RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Space Weather Prediction Center has observed severe geomagnetic storm conditions, or G4, impacting Earth Monday. A series of CMEs came off the Sun from Thursday, August 8 through Saturday, August 10 and then arrived at the Earth Sunday and Monday.
Despite the severe conditions observed, the forecast through the rest of the day and into Tuesday, August 13 remains for moderate conditions, or a G2. The Geomagnetic Storm scale goes from G1 to G5. G1 is considered minor, G2 is moderate, G3 is strong, G4 is severe and G5 is extreme. The geomagnetic storm that made the aurora visible in North Carolina back in May was a G5.
What is a CME?
A CME, or Coronal Mass Ejection, is a cloud of plasma and the accompanying magnetic particles that explode off the surface of the Sun. The Sun is an active star, so explosions or discharges of plasma aren't uncommon, but depending on their strength and how many occur, as well as how they interact with Earth's magnetic field, have an impact on what we could experience. The sun is currently in Solar Cycle 25, which means it is in a very active phase, so reports of multiple CMEs, flares and x-rays are to be expected.
What impacts are expected?
A G4 is considered a severe geomagnetic storm, which means more impacts may be felt than a typical geomagnetic storm, but usually north of 45° in latitude. When a G4 impacts Earth, there can be voltage control issues for the power grid and "some protective systems will mistakenly trip out key assets from the grid," according to the severity scale from the Space Weather Prediction Center. There may also be a need for position corrections for spacecraft operations, HF (high frequency) radio will likely have issues, satellite navigation can be impacted for hours at a time, and low-frequency radio navigation can be disrupted as well.
Will I see the aurora in North Carolina?
If this were happening at night, possibly. As it stands, the strongest geomagnetic storm activity was monitored during the morning and early afternoon, so even if the aurora would have been visible, we wouldn't be able to see it because it's daytime. With a G4, the most likely locations to see the aurora in the United States will stretch from northern California through Alabama, but since G2 conditions are expected Monday night and into Tuesday, the most likely place to see the aurora will be as far south as New York and Idaho.
Bottom Line
Severe geomagnetic storm conditions, or a G4, impacted Earth Monday due to multiple Coronal Mass Ejections from the sun late last week. GPS and radio disruptions are possible, but most of us in North Carolina will not notice significant impacts. The aurora will likely be visible as far south as New York and Idaho as G2 conditions are expected the rest of Monday night into Tuesday. It is unlikely to be seen in North Carolina. If you want to keep up with the geomagnetic storm, click here.