NASA’s SWPC warns of G3 geomagnetic storm

At a Glance:

A G3 geomagnetic storm will hit the earth on 31^st
The G3 storm can affect the satellites by causing intermittent satellite navigation and LF radio navigation issues.
SWPC has also warned for a G1 on 30^th March and a G2 impact on 1^st

Earth has to prepare itself for a strong ‘G3’ category geomagnetic storm on 31^st March. NASA’s Space weather Prediction Centre (SPWC) has confirmed that a G3 grade geomagnetic storm will hit the earth.

This G3 storm will strongly affect the power systems and also disrupt radio communications and affect the satellites. It may also cause a blackout. According to SPWC, the storm will occur during the early evening of 30^th March and the early morning of 31^st March.

G3 disrupts the power systems

After one of the active areas of the sun exploded, a strong G3 storm is headed our way. SWPC confirmed that this storm will cause us to make voltage corrections on power systems. The surge in power fluctuations can also lead to false alarms.

The G3 storm can also affect the satellites by causing intermittent satellite navigation and LF radio navigation issues. However, the impact of G3 on technology will remain small.

By far, Aurora has been spotted with G3 storm till 50-degree geomagnetic latitude.

Bracing for the G3 storm

The United States National Weather Service will be postponing all software, hardware, and network changes, until the weekend.

A tweet by Matthew Capucci, an American atmospheric scientist, read “The National Weather Service is postponing any software/hardware/network updates until after this weekend. That’s because a potentially significant G3 geomagnetic storm is probable, with a major G4/G5 storm not impossible.”

The G3 geomagnetic storm can be impactful, yet it is not as disastrous as G4 and G5, as they would have a grave impact on the electricity grids. These geomagnetic storms would disrupt the power supply, satellites, computers, and the internet.

Alongside the G3 storm warning, NASA’s SWPC has also warned for a G1 on 30^th March and a G2 impact on 1^st April.