Severe geomagnetic storm conditions observed Friday morning after cloud explodes off Sun

Illustration of a CME blast courtesy NASA and the European Space Agency)

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Space Weather Prediction Center reports that late Friday morning, severe geomagnetic storm conditions (or G4) were observed.

It started with a particular sort of cloud, called a CME, being spotted coming off the Sun on Tuesday, which moved near Earth Friday. While G4 conditions were observed earlier in the day Friday, G1 (more minor) conditions are forecast for the rest of Friday, as well as Saturday.

What is a CME?

A CME, or Coronal Mass Ejection, is a cloud of plasma and the accompanying magnetic particles that explode off the surface of the Sun.

This illustration shows a CME blasting off the Sun’s surface in the direction of Earth. The left portion is composed of an EIT 304 image superimposed on a LASCO C2 coronagraph. Two to four days later, the CME cloud is shown striking and beginning to be mostly deflected around the Earth’s magnetosphere. The blue paths emanating from the Earth’s poles represent some of its magnetic field lines. (Credit: SOHO/LASCO/EIT via ESA & NASA)

The Sun is an active star, so explosions or discharges of plasma aren’t uncommon, but depending on their strength and how many occur, as well as how they interact with Earth’s magnetic field, have an impact on what we could experience.

What impacts are expected?

A G4 is a severe strength geomagnetic storm, which means more impacts can be felt than a typical geomagnetic storm, but usually north of 45° in latitude. When a G4 impacts Earth, there can be impacts to the power grid as some “voltage control problems and protective systems can mistakenly trip out key assets to the grid,” according to the severity scale from the Space Weather Predicition Center.

There can also be issues for spacecraft operations, HF (high frequency) radio can have issues, satellite navigation can be impacted for a few hours, and low-frequency radio navigation can be disrupted as well.

Image Credit: Space Weather Prediction Center

A G1 can bring weak fluctuations to the power grid at higher latitudes, as well as minor impacts for satellite operations. High frequency radio may have minor issues on the sun-lit side of the Earth, with slight impacts to navigation systems.

Will I see the aurora in North Carolina?

It’s unlikely.

Even with G4 conditions becoming G1, the most likely locations to see the Aurora in the United States will be the northern part of the country, most likely from Seattle to Des Moines to Boston. This is not the same May geomagnetic storm that allowed us to see the Aurora in central North Carolina, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

Bottom Line

Severe geomagnetic (G4) conditions were observed Friday morning from a CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) that came off the Sun Tuesday. Minor GPS and radio disruptions are possible, but most of us will not notice any impacts. The Auroa will likely be visible as far south as Seattle, Des Moines and Boston, but it is unlikely to be seen in North Carolina. If you want to keep up with the geomagnetic storm, click here .

What is a CME?

What impacts are expected?

Will I see the aurora in North Carolina?

Bottom Line

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