Massive solar storm set to hit in just HOURS causing blackouts and communication disruptions
A massive solar storm that hit Earth over the weekend is intensifying, with the potential to trigger radio blackouts and strain power grids.
Officials issued a Level 3 geomagnetic storm warning on Monday, which means solar activity could disrupt GPS signals, radio communications, and electrical systems, while also making auroras visible much farther south than usual.
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance in Earth's magnetic field caused by a burst of charged particles from the Sun's outer atmosphere.
Power system disruptions are possible parts of the Midwest and Northeast, such as false alarms and systems shutdowns, triggering blackouts.
The powerful storm is also expected to create stunning northern lights across 13 US states on Monday and Tuesday.
The auroras may be visible in Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northeast Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
The best time to catch the colorful display is between 10pm and 2am local time.
The stunning lights will also be visible across northern UK and Europe. In the UK, aurora activity will 'become progressively confined to Northern Ireland and Scotland,' the Met Office said.
To see the spectacle, wait for clear skies to get dark and then go outside, ideally away from bright city lights.
Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren't visible to the naked eye.
The sun unleashed a massive M8.2 solar flare on Sunday, a very strong burst of energy.
A solar flare is like a massive explosion on the sun's surface. It sends out a huge amount of energy in the form of light, X-rays and charged particles.
They are ranked as A, B and C being the weakest, M is deemed medium and X is the strongest.
Sunday's explosion hurled a powerful coronal mass ejection (CEM), a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's surface, directly at Earth, which is causing the geomagnetic storm.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that solar activity will linger for the next few days, causing a G3 storm.
This space weather scale is much like the scale for measuring hurricanes, tracking how intense a geomagnetic storm will be when it collides with Earth, ranging from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
A G3 geomagnetic storm can cause minor disruptions to radio and satellite communications, potentially leading to a few hours of lost radio contact, according to NOAA.
'Infrastructure operators have been notified to mitigate any possible impacts,' NOAA shared in an alert.
'Some risk for mainly controllable power fluctuations in the power grid. Possible, slight risk of various satellite operations' effects.'
The alert added that GPS may also stop working in some areas.
Dr Tamitha Skov, an independent space weather physicist, posted on X: 'The speed of this storm is fast, but the field strength is moderate thus far. G3 to G4 levels are possible during this early phase.
'A stronger region of the storm will likely come later, but for now aurora is brightening quickly! GPS users & HF radio operators expect signal disruptions on the nightside of Earth.'
The solar activity comes as scientist warned that humanity is not prepared for extreme space weather.
They conducted a 'solar storm emergency drill', simulating what would happen if a major geomagnetic storm hit Earth.
Results showed power grids failed, blackouts were triggered and communication broke down across the US.
The exercise ran four simulations of geomagnetic storms of different severities, which is is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetic field caused by a massive eruption of charged plasma from the sun's outermost layer.
One scenario included a 'solar superstorm', strong enough cause an 'internet apocalypse,' resulting in power grid disruptions across the entire US with the eastern seaboard experiencing blackouts, which lasted for weeks.
Not only were power grids impacted, but railways and pipelines were also knocked offline, causing mass disruptions of travel and dramatic price increases of gas.
Scientists are now calling for a whole-of-government planning approach, arguing it will be critical for protecting America from cosmic disaster.
That would include deploying more satellites to monitor space weather, enhance real-time data collection to improve forecasting models, and provide earlier warnings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Thousands to be left without HOT WATER due to energy meter switch-off
THOUSANDS of households are at risk of being left without heating and hot water in weeks due to a shortage of smart meter appointments. Homes with electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) need to upgrade to a smart meter before June 30 - when the service is being switched off. 1 Some RTS meters automatically turn the heating and hot water system on and off at different times during the day. This means that once the signal is switched off households could find that these systems do not work properly. They could also end up running their heating permanently during peak time, which could cause huge bill hikes. But a shortage of smart meter appointments means that thousands of households will not be able to make the switch before this deadline. None of the major energy suppliers or industry regulator Ofgem were able to tell us how long customers could expect to wait for a smart meter appointment. More than 100,000 RTS meters are still in use, according to Energy Action Scotland. But the meters are only being replaced at a rate of around 1,000 a day, according to industry regulator Ofgem. As a result, some customers are being offered meter replacement dates well after the deadline. An Ofgem spokesperson said: "Suppliers need to do more and ensure customers are protected from detriment, which is why industry is putting in place a phased area-by-area shutdown beginning from 30 June. "We have made clear that the signal serving a specific area should not be switched off until suppliers have demonstrated that they are ready and able to respond quickly to any issues customers experience. From TV to energy... tips to save you money on 7 bills that are going up in April 'While this carefully managed phaseout should reassure customers that they will be protected, it remains crucial that these meters are replaced so I would urge customers to engage with their supplier when offered an appointment – even if it is after the 30 June date.' Forums online are now inundated with energy customers complaining about being unable to secure an appointment. One Ovo customer said he had been trying to upgrade his two RTS meters since October 2024. An engineer visited his home that month and tried to install the meter but there was a signal issue. How do I know if I have an RTS electricity meter? YOU'LL be able to tell if you have a meter that relies on the RTS quite easily. The oldest RTS-powered meters have a switch box labelled "Radio Teleswitch" located next to the physical electricity meter. Others may have the RTS switch box included within the electricity meter as a single box on the wall. If you're unsure about the type of electricity meter in your home - call your supplier as they'll usually have this information on hand. RTS is also sometimes called dynamically teleswitched (DTS). A fortnight ago his appointment was cancelled due to a system issue. He added: 'I tried to re-book an appointment today but all the appointments had gone and there is nothing left before 30th June. 'I was told by the operator that because it is not my fault the meters have not been changed that I would not lose electricity supply - I have little faith in this happening and dread an electric bill after the 30th of June.' Another said their parents are in a similar position. They said: 'My parents are with Utility Warehouse but their electric supply is through Eon Next. Neither of them have contacted them about the RTS switch off.' They added that when they called Utility Warehouse customer services they were unable to speak to anyone. They tried to book an appointment online but every time were told: 'we're not able to provide you with a smart meter right now. Register interest and we'll get in touch when we can.' Another said: 'I am a British Gas 'customer' on a fixed price tariff. Last October BG advised that my electricity meter was one of the soon to be obsolete RTS type. 'I dutifully signed into my account and tried to request a smart meter … no appointments available. "Since then I have regularly tried to request an install … no appointments.' Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said customers are "in the dark" about the RTS switch. He added: "People are being given dates well after the June 30 deadline for the replacement of their RTS meters with a smart meter, even into August. 'Customers are doing the right thing by contacting suppliers to arrange their fitting, only to be given dates more than a month after the deadline. 'We are also aware anecdotally of people being wrongly told that they have nothing to fear as the cut off won't happen until 2028.' How long do I need to wait for an appointment? Ovo Energy Ovo Energy said it has appointments available to install a meter as soon as possible. However, the availability of these appointments may vary depending on where you live. If you are unsure of what to do or are vulnerable then you should contact Ovo as soon as possible so it can ensure you have an appointment booked in. Customers will be able to choose which tariff they switch to and its specialist team will be on hand to help find the most appropriate one. Octopus Energy Octopus Energy said it has contacted every customer it thinks has an RTS meter that may not work effectively after the switch off. It is installing nearly 20,000 meters a week and said it has the capacity to prioritise anyone who thinks they might lose their heating after the switch off. A spokesperson said: 'It's really important that customers with RTS meters get in touch with us - but we also want them not to worry. Our team is working 7 days a week, and we'll do our very best to make sure that no-one is left without power.' said it will prioritise RTS upgrade appointments and has reserved engineers to ensure it has the capacity to deliver these upgrades. It said all RTS customers should not delay. You should book your smart meter upgrade appointment as soon as possible to make sure your heating and hot water continues to run smoothly. How can I improve my chance of getting an appointment? You should regularly check your supplier's website to see if they have released any new slots. Most suppliers will only let you book an appointment in the next six weeks. You can also ask your supplier how often they release new slots and on which day of the week. For example, Octopus Energy releases new slots on a Monday but you will need to get online early to secure a space. Most suppliers will let you register your interest online so they can notify you when new slots become available. You can do this online through your account. A spokesperson for Energy UK said: "We would only suggest that anyone with an RTS meter contacts their supplier as soon as possible. "Booking a meter replacement appointment now will ensure a smooth change that enables your heating and hot water to continue operating in the same way. "If you are worried that you have an appointment booked after 30 June, this has been taken into account as part of the phase out plan.' Can I keep my RTS tariff? In most cases, RTS customers will be offered a smart meter. The smart meter operates in the same way as an RTS meter on a multi-rate tariff such as Economy 7 or Economy 10. If that is not possible then suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a similar tariff, so customers do not see their bills increase. Meanwhile, upgrading an RTS meter to a smart one should give customers access to a wide choice of smart meter only tariffs that should save them money. If your supplier has not contacted you already then you do not need to wait for a letter or email asking you to switch. Get in touch with your supplier directly as soon as you can. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Twist in Lively v Baldoni battle as a powerful ally with ties to Taylor Swift steps in
Justin Baldoni has added a powerful female litigator to his legal counsel who could make a 'meaningful difference' to his acrimonious battle with Blake Lively, according to insiders – and she has an unlikely connection to . Ellyn S. Garofalo, who previously worked with Venable LLP – the law firm used by Swift – has joined Baldoni's side as part of the Wayfarer legal team in a move that has prompted fans to question the singer's involvement in the ongoing war.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Edmund White, novelist and great chronicler of gay life, dies aged 85
Edmund White, the American writer, playwright and essayist who attracted acclaim for his semi-autobiographical novels such as A Boy's Own Story – and who literally wrote the book on gay sex, with the pioneering The Joy of Gay Sex – has died aged 85. His death was confirmed to the Guardian by his agent Bill Clegg on Wednesday. White was a major influence on modern gay literature, with LGBTQ writing prizes named after him and authors including Garth Greenwell, Edouard Louis, Ocean Vuong, Brandon Taylor and Alexander Chee all noting his importance. Having come up in the late 1970s, he once said of his generation: 'Gay fiction before that, Gore Vidal and Truman Capote, was written for straight readers. We had a gay readership in mind, and that made all the difference. We didn't have to spell out what Fire Island was.' Born in Ohio in 1940, White grew up in Illinois. He was accepted to Harvard but instead chose to attend University of Michigan in order to stay near his therapist, who had assured White he could 'cure' homosexuality; a decision he would touch on in his novels. He then moved to New York, then San Francisco, where he began a career as a freelance writer and later a magazine editor. His 1973 debut novel, Forgetting Elena was praised by Vladimir Nabokov as 'a marvelous book'. It was followed in 1977 by The Joy of Gay Sex, a pioneering sex manual White wrote with his psychotherapist Charles Silverstein. 'I think if I wrote it alone it would have been called The Tragedy of Gay Sex,' White once joked to the Guardian. '[Silverstein] brought in the warm, cuddly part.' For much of White's career he drew on his own life to write novels about gay men and sexual freedom. Arguably his best-known work, 1982's A Boy's Own Story, was the first in a trilogy that drew on his life from boyhood to middle age, followed by The Beautiful Room Is Empty (1988) and The Farewell Symphony (1997). White lived in France between 1983 and 1990, where he befriended the likes of Michel Foucault and developed an interest in French literature, going on to write admired biographies of Jean Genet – which won White a Pulitzer prize – as well as Marcel Proust and Arthur Rimbaud. Over his entire career White wrote more than 30 books. Some of his more notable novels included The Married Man, which also drew on his life; Fanny: A Fiction, a historical novel about the author Frances Trollope and social reformer Frances Wright. Over his career he published five memoirs: My Lives in 2005; City Boy, about his life in New York in the 1960s and 1970s, in 2009; Inside a Pearl: My Years in Paris, in 2014; The Unpunished Vice, about his tastes in literature, in 2018; and The Loves of My Life, about his prolific sex life, in 2025. White estimate he slept with three men a week for 20 years; in 1970s New York, he wrote: 'I thought it was quite normal to take a break from writing at two in the morning, saunter down to the piers, and have sex with 20 men in a truck. When I wrote that I'd had sex over the years with 3,000 men, one of my contemporaries asked pityingly: 'Why so few?'' White was diagnosed HIV positive in 1984. 'I wasn't surprised, but I was very gloomy,' he told the Guardian in January. 'I kind of pulled the covers over my head and thought: 'Oh gee, I'll be dead in a year or two' … it turned out that I was a slow progressor.' White taught at Brown University and became a professor of creative writing at Princeton University. White is survived by Michael Carroll, his husband and partner of almost 30 years.
