NOAA Space Weather
NOAA started this morning with a Solar Storm Watch Warning for a Geomagnetic G3 Storm K-index of 7 or greater expected at 5:54 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Monday 2-27-23.
Geomagnetic Solar Storm affect on the planet and near earth space could be extremely strong. Affected areas and components could be spacecraft, power grids, navigation systems, and radio systems.
Space Weather Message Code: WARK07 Serial Number: 85 Issue Time: 2023 Feb 27 1354 UTC WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 7 or greater expected Valid From: 2023 Feb 27 1353 UTC Valid To: 2023 Feb 27 1800 UTC Warning Condition: Onset NOAA Scale: G3 or greater - Strong to Extreme NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 50 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Power system voltage irregularities possible, false alarms may be triggered on some protection devices. Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites and orientation problems may occur. Navigation - Intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range error may occur. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio may be intermittent. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.
NOAA Space Weather Solar Geomagnetic Storm Scale
| Scale | Description | Effect / Reaction |
| G5* | Extreme | Power systems: Some power grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage. Spacecraft operations: May experience extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink, and tracking satellites. Other systems: HF (high frequency) radio transmission may be impossible in many areas for days or more. |
| G4 | Severe | Power systems: Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems will mistakenly trip out key assets from the grid. Spacecraft operations: Possible surface charging, tracking, and orientation problems. Other systems: HF radio propagation sporadic, satellite navigation degraded for hours, low-frequency radio navigation disrupted. |
| G3 | Strong | Power systems: Voltage corrections may be required, and false alarms triggered on some protection devices. Spacecraft operations: Surface charging and drag may increase on low-Earth-orbit satellites, and corrections may be needed for orientation problems. Other systems: Intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency radio navigation problems may occur, and HF radio may be intermittent. |
| G2 | Moderate | Power systems: High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms, and long-duration storms may cause transformer damage. Spacecraft operations: Corrective actions required and possible changes in drag affect orbit predictions. Other systems: HF radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes. |
| G1 | Minor | Power systems: Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Spacecraft operations: Minor impact on satellite operations possible. Other systems: Migratory animals are affected at G1 and higher levels. |
*This scale does not include unknown variables of a Solar Storms stronger than a G5 level.
Additional Geomagnetic Storm Information
For additional information please see our articles “What To Do Before a G5 or Greater Geomagnetic Storm?” and “Should You Be Worried About Weather-Caused Power Grid Outages?”
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