An intense geomagnetic storm may bring more serious consequences than the Northern Lights. There is the possibility of an infrastructure disruption.
When the sun produces geomagnetic storms, the first thing that most people focus on is where the Northern Lights will be visible. However, with the prediction of a severe G4 magnetic storm hitting the Earth beginning today and continuing into tomorrow, infrastructure may also be impacted.
According to one of NOAA's space weather forecasters, Shawn Dahl, government organizations have already been contacted so that "preparations" can be made if the massive geomagnetic storm causes the forecasted disruptions.
"We are already taking measures to notify FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] for their awareness only at this time" so the agency can make preparation[s] to deal with and manage geomagnetic induced currents that will likely develop in high voltage transmission lines potentially impacting the nation's power grid." - Shawn Dahl
Given that the geomagnetic storm is predicted to be a G4 out of a possible G5, the potential for geomagnetically induced currents to run through power grids is very possible. This could lead to power outages due to "overloaded transformers."
Geomagnetic Levels
Intensity
G5
Extreme
G4
Severe
G3
Strong
G2
Moderate
G1
Minor
It is impossible to predict what the geomagnetic storm will bring. However, space forecasters are urging people to be prepared in case power grids are damaged, and electricity is out for an extended period.
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Severe Geomagnetic Storm Will Bring The Northern Lights Further South Than Normal
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It is predicted that states that generally are not fortunate enough to see the Northern Lights will be treated to quite a show come Sunday night to Monday morning, thanks to the geomagnetic storm poised to hit the Earth.
Tonight, there is an opportunity for 23 states to view the Northern Lights, either with the naked eye or with the assistance of a camera. Those states include:
Alaska Connecticut Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New York North Dakota Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Vermont Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
Please note that these are only the predicted states. There is always the possibility that the Northern Lights may reach further south or appear less intense than anticipated.
For those who are in the states where the Northern Lights are likely to be seen, it is recommended to be "north-facing" and look to the horizon between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM for the most spectacular views.
If the geomagnetic storm proves to be more intense than predicted into Monday, it is anticipated that the Northern Lights will still be visible to some on Monday evening into Tuesday. However, as the week progresses, the storm will weaken, and the Northern Lights will fade until they are no longer visible.
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What Caused The Massive Geomagnetic Storm To Occur
While the potential for infrastructure to malfunction and the possibility of intense Northern Lights being visible further south is not anticipated until Sunday night and into Monday, the event leading up to this occurred late last week.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, a "powerful coronal mass ejection" is to blame for the severe geomagnetic storm watch. These events are "rare," which is why so much attention is being paid to the after-effects of the eruption.
"A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun the evening of 30 May. Confidence in an Earth-directed component is good, but the CME arrival timing is more uncertain due to the current state of the solar wind." - Space Weather Prediction Center
SWPC goes on to explain that a CME is "an eruption of solar material and strong magnetic fields. When they arrive at Earth, a geomagnetic storm can result."
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The original analysis from scientists was that Sunday night through Monday would be the start of the G4 magnetic storm. However, as the Northern Lights were first seen on Saturday night in places across the US, it is now believed the storm will begin with its intensity "as early as mid-day" today.