On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch, marking the first such event since 2005. This rare occurrence is attributed to at least five earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed over the past few days, which are associated with a large and magnetically complex sunspot cluster, NOAA region 3664, spanning an impressive 16 times the diameter of Earth.
The Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch indicates the potential for widespread disruption to power grids, satellite operations, high-frequency radio communications, and GPS navigation. Power grid operators and satellite providers have been alerted to the heightened risk of geomagnetically induced currents and potential damage to transformers and other critical infrastructure.
Airline crews and passengers may experience increased radiation exposure during this event, and there is a risk of disruptions to high-frequency communication and GPS-based navigation systems used in aviation. Space agencies and astronauts aboard the International Space Station have also been notified to take appropriate safety precautions.
Citizen scientists and amateur astronomers are encouraged to monitor the sun’s activity and potential impacts on Earth’s magnetic field during this period. The NOAA SWPC will continue to provide regular updates and forecasts to help mitigate the effects of this potentially severe space weather event.
