WuZou
WuZou
A severe geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth on Sunday, June 1, 2025, with potential disruptions to critical infrastructure. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm watch, anticipating the storm to occur between late Sunday morning and evening Eastern Time. This storm is the result of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, which are expected to merge and arrive at Earth on Sunday afternoon. It will cause major damages to communication systems which now heavily rely on satellites and subsea cables.
Power Grids: Severe geomagnetic storms can induce electric currents in power lines, potentially overloading transformers and causing voltage control problems. In extreme cases, this can lead to widespread blackouts. For instance, the 1989 geomagnetic storm caused a nine-hour outage of Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system due to geomagnetic fluctuations damaging transformers and other equipment.
Satellite Operations: The storm may affect satellites by increasing atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit satellites, potentially leading to orbital decay. Additionally, satellites may experience communication interruptions and malfunctions in onboard electronics.
GPS and Communication Systems: Geomagnetic storms can degrade GPS signals, leading to inaccuracies in navigation systems. This can impact various sectors, including agriculture, transportation, and military operations.
Subsea Cables and Pipelines: Induced currents from geomagnetic storms can affect subsea communication cables and pipelines, potentially leading to communication disruptions and operational challenges in the oil and gas industry.
Authorities advise monitoring the Space Weather Prediction Center’s website for updates and recommend using their aurora dashboard to check the likelihood of aurora visibility in your area. While the storm's exact timing and intensity remain uncertain, preparedness measures are essential to mitigate potential impacts on critical infrastructure.
