NOAA forecasts severe solar storm

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) - a division of the National Weather Service - is monitoring the sun following a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that began on May 8. Space weather forecasters have issued a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watchoffsite link for the evening of Friday, May 10. Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.

A large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday at 5:00 am ET. At least five flares were associated with CMEs that appear to be Earth-directed. SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA's space assets for the onset of a geomagnetic storm.

CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun's corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth's surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations. SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action. Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth. A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for aurora to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

WHAT

Media availability via teleconference on the unfolding space weather event and Geomagnetic Storm Watch.

WHO

Speakers from NOAA's NWS Space Weather Prediction Center:

• Shawn Dahl, SWPC Service Coordinator
• Brent Gordon, Chief of Space Weather Services Branch for SWPC
• Bryan Brasher, Project Manager for SWPC
• Rob Steenburgh, Space Scientist for SWPC
• Mike Bettwy, SWPC Operations Chief

WHEN

Friday, May 10, 2024; 10 a.m. EDT

HOW

CALL-IN #: 630-395-0205

INTERNATIONAL (TOLL FREE): 800-988-9736

PASSCODE: 8186632

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center is the official source for space weather forecasts, watches, warnings and alerts. Visit www.spaceweather.govoffsite link for updates. The public can subscribe to receive NOAA space weather alerts, warnings, and watch information at pss.swpc.noaa.govoffsite link.

Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA's mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America's coastal and marine resources.

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