Geomagnetic storm strikes Earth, impacts on some electronic devices and infrastructure

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that Earth would experience geomagnetic storms categorised as G1 to G2. These storms are caused by a fast-moving solar wind resulting from a coronal hole in the Sun.

This astronomical event has raised concerns among scientists and space experts, particularly due to potential disruptions to power grids, navigation systems, and satellites.

In its statement, NOAA explained: "High-speed solar winds are expected to impact Earth's magnetic field, potentially causing geomagnetic storms ranging from minor to moderate intensity. (Geomagnetic storms occur when high-speed solar winds strike Earth's magnetosphere, typically originating from coronal holes .. regions on the Sun with low density and open magnetic fields which allow charged particles to escape into space”.

When these particles collide with Earth, they trigger interactions which can affect the planet's power grids, wireless communications, and more. The impacts of geomagnetic storms vary based on their intensity and include Power Grids ( particularly in high-latitude regions), GPS and Navigation Systems (Potential disruptions to satellite-based navigation), Satellites: (Possible orbital changes or signal issues), Wireless Communication Networks: (Short-range networks may be affected), and Aurora Displays (Northern and Southern Lights may appear in unusual regions.

Solar activity, including flares and coronal holes, is increasing as the Sun approaches the peak of its 25th solar cycle. While such events are rare, they can have widespread impacts on technology and daily life.

Experts emphasise that the current storms are not the most severe but serve as an early warning of potential future solar events. They advise continuous monitoring of space weather data, especially for tech companies and energy providers.

NOAA assures that the situation is under constant surveillance and will issue immediate updates if necessary.