Severe Geomagnetic Storm Expected to Affect U.S. Infrastructure

A severe geomagnetic storm is forecast to hit Earth's magnetic field on Wednesday, potentially disrupting infrastructure technology across much of the United States and making the northern lights visible much farther south than usual.

According to CBS News, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a G4, or severe, geomagnetic storm watch due to recent coronal mass ejections from the sun. These CMEs are large bubbles of coronal plasma that the sun occasionally releases.

The latest CME is noted as the most energetic and fastest of the recent eruptions, associated with one of the strongest solar flares in the current solar cycle, which peaked early Tuesday morning. This flare was classified as R3, or strong, meaning it could cause significant disruptions to high-frequency radio communications on the sunlit side of Earth, along with low-frequency navigation signal issues.

The storm is expected to impact Earth around midday Wednesday, but the forecast carries a moderate level of certainty regarding the timing. In addition to potential technological disruptions, the storm presents a unique opportunity for skywatchers, as the northern lights could be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California beginning Tuesday night.

The University of Alaska and the Space Weather Prediction Center predict that the best chances of viewing the aurora will start as early as 10 PM ET on Tuesday and last until around 1 AM Wednesday. Highly active auroral displays might be visible in cities like Portland, Oregon, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and New York City.

Furthermore, the lights could be seen close to the horizon in places like Oklahoma City and Raleigh, North Carolina. This storm follows previous significant geomagnetic events, including one in May 2024, which caused radio blackouts, and another in October 2024, when the auroras were visible as far south as Florida.

The upcoming G3 geomagnetic storm, also forecasted for Thursday, adds to the potential for widespread atmospheric phenomena and disruptions to communication systems. The report emphasizes the vulnerability of modern technology to these natural phenomena, underscoring the importance of monitoring solar activity and its potential impacts on Earth.