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Geomagnetic Storm Alert: Potential Tech Disruptions in New Jersey
The electric grid, the Internet, radio, GPS use, and other vital technologies might all be impacted by the storm.
According to the
Space Weather Prediction Center, the country's second severe geomagnetic storm notice in 20 years has been issued by space weather experts in response to a powerful X-class solar flare and coronal mass ejection that may cause the aurora borealis to reach the middle of the nation. The watch continues and is in effect through Friday but a chance it could be extended.
A strong geomagnetic storm is predicted to affect Earth on Thursday and Friday, so New Jersey may see patchy radio, internet, and mobile service.
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that Garden State citizens will have a better chance of seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis) in the coming days due to charged particles entering the atmosphere from a big solar eruption.
Radio communications and power outages may also be momentarily disrupted by the storm.
The possibility of power outages and communication failures has been communicated to Federal Emergency Management Agency officials. Notifications have also been sent to utilities in the North American power grid.
Both are typical procedure for any storm of this magnitude, but they are more important now as FEMA is responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which are pounding the Southeast back-to-back.
The contents of this storm are yet unknown, according to space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl.
On a scale of 1 to 5, the geomagnetic storm is rated a G4, and the auroral strength is indicated by the Kp Index, which is an 8 on a 9-point scale. In general, to see the aurora borealis, one needs a Kp index of 5.
The most powerful solar storm in over 20 years, which struck Earth in May, is not expected to be surpassed by the most recent one, according to forecasters. However, until it approaches Earth by one million miles, when satellites can measure it, scientists won't be able to say for sure.
All of the recent solar activity has been caused by the sun, which is approaching the apex of its 11-year cycle.
