The Earth is expected to experience the most severe geomagnetic storm in the last 20 years on Friday night, which could potentially impact power grid systems, navigation, and communications technology. However, a positive aspect of this rare event is that Canadians may have the opportunity to witness a spectacular display of the aurora borealis. The U.S.’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, indicating that the northern lights could be visible as far south as northern California and Alabama. The storm may last throughout the weekend, providing multiple opportunities for viewing the aurora.
Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell suggests that the northern lights will likely be visible across Canada where the sky is clear on Friday and potentially on Saturday night as well. He recommends getting away from bright city lights and looking to the north for the best viewing experience. The intensity of the event may be strong enough for the northern lights to be visible even in major cities. Some regions in Canada, such as parts of B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, look to have clear or mostly clear skies for viewing, while areas in eastern Canada may not have favorable conditions.
The geomagnetic storm watch was issued after several solar flares from a cluster of sunspots were observed by space weather forecasters. At least five coronal mass ejections, massive clouds of magnetized particles, are heading towards Earth and could potentially disrupt critical infrastructure upon arrival. NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl described the event as a severe G4 storm, which could have various impacts including inducing electric currents in the power grid, causing outages, and affecting satellites in orbit responsible for communication and GPS navigation.
While NOAA expressed some concern about the potential disruptive impacts of the geomagnetic storm, they believe that it is unlikely to cause widespread power outages. The storm is not expected to impact cellphone communication but could disrupt ham radio communication, often used in northern Canada for community communication. Aviation and maritime users may also face communication disruptions due to the storm. The main visible manifestation of space weather is the aurora, and the storm presents an opportunity for those in dark, cloud-free areas to witness an impressive display of the aurora borealis. Photography enthusiasts may also capture the aurora with their cameras for later viewing.
Overall, the geomagnetic storm expected to hit Earth is a rare and significant event that may disrupt power grid systems, communication technology, and navigation systems. However, it also presents an opportunity for Canadians to witness a breathtaking display of the aurora borealis. While the storm may have various impacts, efforts are being made to monitor and mitigate its effects on critical infrastructure. The event serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of space weather and its potential effects on our technological systems. Observing the aurora borealis is a unique gift of space weather, and those in areas with clear, dark skies have the chance to experience this natural phenomenon firsthand.
