Yet more devastating consequences coinciding with the destruction from Hurricane Milton are likely to be inflicted on Florida and Georgia caused by geomagnetic storms. Geomagnetic storms occur from solar activity. “The sun is a bubbling hot cauldron of non-stop activity that occasionally gives off solar flares, which in turn can trigger what’s known as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME).”
CME’s will launch a stream of solar particles into space along the solar wind. “If the stream is directed at the Earth, those charged particles will interact with our magnetic field, transferring energy into our upper atmosphere and causing variations in our magnetic field.”
A “severe” geomagnetic storm is forecast through Friday. Officials “are warning that communication across the country could be hampered.” The geomagnetic storm could blow or disable power grids, causing satellite and radio blackouts.
As reported, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said that the severe (G4) geomagnetic storm could affect the power grid, as well as GPS and radio blackouts and impacts on satellites.
The destructive consequence of the storm could be pervasive. “Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid,” the SWPC said Wednesday.
The impact of the storm affects orbital spacecraft. “The SWPC also added that systems might experience surface charging and increased drag on low-Earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur on various spacecraft.”
A warning issued by the SWPC stated: “Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours. Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out.”
