A solar storm could bring rare northern lights to the southern United States—and strain the power grid

Robert Novoski

A severe solar storm is heading toward Earth and could further strain the power grid as the United States faces repeated major storms, space forecasters said Wednesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning Thursday through Friday after a solar flare was detected earlier this week. Such storms can temporarily disrupt electrical and radio signals.

NOAA has notified operators of power plants and orbiting spacecraft to take precautions. It also alerted the Federal Emergency Management Agency of possible power outages, as the organization works to deal with the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene and prepare for Hurricane Milton as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

Forecasters predict this latest solar storm will not surpass the storm that hit Earth in May, the strongest solar storm in more than two decades. But they won’t know for sure until it’s only 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away, so the spacecraft can measure it.

Florida is far enough south to avoid electrical disruptions from solar surges unless they get much larger, said scientist Rob Steenburgh of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

“It adds a level of comfort,” Steenburgh said. “The reason we’re here is to inform them so they can prepare.”

Experts are more concerned about potential impacts to the power grid in areas hit by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, NOAA space forecaster Shawn Dahl said.

The storm could also trigger northern lights as far south as the U.S. into the lower Midwest and Northern California, although the exact location and timing are uncertain, according to NOAA. Skygazers are reminded to point their smartphones upwards to take photos; the device can often capture auroras that the human eye cannot.

The solar storm that occurred in May produced dazzling auroras in the northern hemisphere and did not cause any major disturbances.

The sun is near the peak of its 11-year cycle right now, which is fueling all the recent solar activity.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Science and Education Media Group at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. AP is solely responsible for all content.

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