The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an urgent warning about a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm, which could cause major disruptions to power grids and communication systems across the United States.
This storm ranks among the strongest solar events on the five-level intensity scale. States most at risk are those north of the 45th parallel, including Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Forecasts indicate that the storm—triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun—may strike Earth within hours, potentially causing power outages and satellite and aviation navigation failures.
NOAA Warns of Power and Satellite Disruptions as Rare Aurora Reaches Alabama
According to NOAA, the storm could lead to widespread voltage control issues, and automatic protection systems may mistakenly disconnect key components from the grid. Satellite operations could also be affected for several hours, threatening communication and GPS services across vast regions.
Despite the risks, the solar activity brought a positive spectacle—the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) became visible unusually far south, reaching as far as Alabama, offering a rare and stunning view that fascinated local residents.
The warning comes at a time when the U.S. energy sector is already under heavy strain due to climate-related demand spikes and the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers, raising additional concerns about the grid’s resilience to geomagnetic disturbances of this scale.