One geomagnetic storm reached Earth this Monday (22), according to space meteorology physicist Tamitha Skov. The expert wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the prediction was that the solar plasma cloud would reach the planet around midday.
Skov also said that a second storm could possibly occur this Tuesday (23). “We have one, if not two #solarstorms heading towards Earth today! The first was triggered near region 3555. It is expected to land early noon on January 22nd. The second is a sideways storm that initiated near 3559. She could give us a glancing blow on January 23rd,” the expert said.
In another publication, the physicist warned that GPS and amateur radio users should be alert to possible equipment failure due to the storm.
How does a solar storm work?
Geomagnetic storms occur when solar particles are thrown towards Earth. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the situation could result in “some of the brightest and most active auroras extending further toward the equator.”
“Although these storms cannot directly harm us or nature, they are disruptive and potentially very damaging to technology. Electric currents are induced in the earth's crust, which can lead to surges and damage to power grids. Communication and GPS navigation may be interrupted. Air flights at high latitudes are vulnerable to radiation doses that require cancellation or rerouting. And there is a danger to satellites and astronauts,” said Huw Morgan, head of the solar physics group at the University of Aberystwyth in the United Kingdom, in an interview with Newsweek.