Geomagnetic Storm Watch Issued: Potential impacts Expected This Week
Earth is bracing for a potential geomagnetic storm as a coronal mass ejection (CME) is forecast to arrive as early as Thursday evening, November 6th EST. The Space Weather prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G3 (Strong) Watch for november 6th and 7th UTC-days,indicating a heightened probability of geomagnetic activity.
While scientists are confident the CME is headed towards Earth and have a reasonable estimate of its arrival time – between Thursday evening and Friday morning EST – the intensity of the resulting geomagnetic storm remains uncertain. The G3 Watch reflects this potential, and a definitive assessment will require further observation.
Currently, the CME is traveling towards the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) spacecraft, positioned one million miles from Earth. This observatory is crucial for measuring the CME’s speed, magnetic strength, and orientation – all key factors in determining the severity of the storm and whether a more serious warning will be issued. The SWPC emphasizes the critical need for continued, accurate data from L1, and highlights the importance of a planned upgrade to the SWFO-L1 spacecraft.
When a CME impacts Earth, it typically arrives in two phases. First comes the “shock front,” which can cause a rapid and immediate increase in geomagnetic activity. This is followed by the CME’s magnetic cloud. If the magnetic field within this cloud is oriented opposite to Earth’s magnetic field, geomagnetic activity can surge dramatically.
For the latest information and official alerts,please visit the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/.
