A severe geomagnetic storm hit the planet recently, reaching the second-highest level on NOAA’s rating system.

This event caused significant disruption to Earth’s magnetic field, potentially affecting infrastructure and expanding the visibility of the northern lights.

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center issued a warning about the storm after detecting a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun’s corona, which occurred alongside a solar flare.

Although this CME was not the strongest recorded, NOAA cautioned that more X-class flares could occur. While the public was advised to stay informed, NOAA assured that adverse impacts were not anticipated.

However, the agency warned of potential voltage control issues and GPS degradation. Infrastructure operators were notified to take precautionary measures, CBS News reported.

Although the impacts of the CME appeared to be weakening by Monday, elevated solar wind speeds prompted an extension of the storm warning.

Moderate geomagnetic storms like this one have the potential to affect power systems, transformers, and flight ground control, extending the visibility of the northern lights.

Written by B.C. Begley