Solar storm may stress power grids as US deals with major hurricanes: NPR

This NASA image, taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a solar flare, the bright flash in the center of the image, on October 3, 2024.

Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA via AP/NASA

Hide caption

Toggle caption

Solar Dynamics Observatory/NASA via AP/NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An intense solar storm is headed toward Earth, potentially further straining power grids as the U.S. deals with back-to-back major hurricanes, forecasters said Wednesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning from Thursday into Friday after a solar outburst was detected earlier this week. Such a storm could temporarily disrupt power and radio signals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has notified power plant and spacecraft operators to take precautions. It also alerted the Federal Emergency Management Agency about potential power outages, as the organization deals with the devastating effects of Hurricane Helen and prepares for Hurricane Milton, which is heading across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

Meteorologists do not expect the latest solar storm to exceed the one that struck the Earth last May, which is the strongest in more than two decades. But they won’t know for sure until it’s just 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away, where a spacecraft can measure it.

Scientist Rob Steinberg of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center said Florida is far enough south to avoid any power outages due to the solar eruption unless it grows much larger.

“This adds even more to the comfort level,” Steinberg said. “The reason we’re here is to tell them so they can prepare.”

Sean Dahl, a space weather forecaster at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said experts are more concerned about potential impacts on power grids in areas hit by Hurricane Helen two weeks ago.

The storm may also spark the northern lights as far south as the lower Midwest and northern California, although exact locations and times are uncertain, according to NOAA. Sky watchers are reminded to point their smartphones upward to take photos; Instruments are often able to capture auroras that human eyes cannot see.

The May solar storm produced dazzling aurora across the Northern Hemisphere and produced no major disturbances.

The Sun is approaching the peak of its current 11-year cycle, stirring up all the latest solar activity.