Learn about the potential G1-class geomagnetic storm that could be triggered by a CME on March 2

During the final week of February, the Sun became highly active and emitted three powerful X-class solar flares within a 24-hour period. One of these flares, the most intense since 2017, marked the peak of the current solar cycle 25. With solar activity expected to increase as we approach the cycle’s peak, experts are warning of potential CMEs, filament eruptions, solar storms, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms. Forecasters have issued a warning about a possible geomagnetic storm on March 2 due to a CME, urging the public to stay informed.

A geomagnetic storm

According to a Space Weather report, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters have revealed a CME that was thrown into space yesterday after the eruption of sunspot AR3592. This CME is expected to graze the Earth’s magnetic field on March 2 and could cause a G1 geomagnetic storm.

According to NASA, a geomagnetic storm is a large disturbance in the Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when the energy of the solar wind changes strongly in the space above the Earth. Rapid solar flares caused by solar storms interact with the Earth’s electromagnetic field and cause geomagnetic storms to form.

Are geomagnetic storms dangerous?

Category G1 geomagnetic storms are considered minor storms and usually do not cause much damage. Such magnetic storms may not be strong enough to affect mobile networks or damage satellites, but they can still cause radio outages and interfere with GPS signals. However, geomagnetic storms often cause auroras, blue-green hues of light, to form near the polar regions.

But if a geomagnetic storm is strong enough, it can do more damage than Auroras alone. They can damage small satellites, affect mobile networks and GPS, and even pose a threat to ground-based electronics and power grids by vastly increasing the magnetic potential.