A Spectacular Display: G5 Geomagnetic Storm Lights Up European Skies

Yesterday, forecasters at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a G4-level geomagnetic storm warning. Today, the SWPC has escalated the warning to a G5 level, the highest level of geomagnetic storm.

This G5-level geomagnetic storm warning breaks a record of more than 20 years, with the last G5 storm warning issued in October 2003, during the 23rd solar cycle. We are currently in the 25th solar cycle, with the peak of this solar activity expected to occur in 2025.

Last night, Europe witnessed a breathtaking display of auroras, including regions at middle latitudes like Italy (around 40° north), where widespread auroras are typically uncommon.

Social media platforms have been flooded with photos of the auroras from European users. Due to the intense solar activity, the auroras appearing on Earth are exceptionally bright, providing good visibility even in the dead of night.

This geomagnetic storm was triggered by the sunspot AR3664, which produced a powerful solar flare. The subsequent stream of high-energy particles into space, upon reaching Earth, interacted with the Earth's magnetic field, creating the auroras.

Notably, yesterday, significant disruptions in high-frequency radio communications were observed across most of Asia, Eastern Europe, and Northeast Africa, a result of the intense solar activity.

With the SWPC now issuing a G5-level geomagnetic storm warning, disruptions in high-frequency radio communications, aerospace operations, and power grids are expected this weekend. Additionally, pigeon racing enthusiasts are advised not to release their pigeons, as the geomagnetic storm may disrupt the birds' navigation abilities, preventing them from returning.