Latest news with #SWPC
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Millions Issued Geomagnetic Storm Warning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A geomagnetic storm could impact millions of people "over New York to north Iowa to Washington state," weather authorities have warned. The National Weather Service extended a G3 warning on Monday, before downgrading it to a G2 warning on Tuesday, after weather data indicated that the storm would continue. Why It Matters Any extreme weather in these areas could have a huge impact on infrastructure and the environment, and geomagnetic storms in particular have the potential to affect power distribution networks and satellite signals. What To Know On Monday, the National Weather Service issued an extension to its geomagnetic weather warning. It was originally classified with a strength of G3, the third-highest level for a storm of this kind, before being downgraded to a G2 on Tuesday morning at time of writing, indicating the storm is "moderate." The service warned advised residents to be cautious of irregular behavior from electronic devices. "Some effects are possible to power grid, satellite ops, and GPS," the warning said. "Geomagnetic activity can vary considerably during storm progression with intermittent periods of escalation or weakening as the major disturbance in the solar wind continues. Monitor the SWPC webpage for additional information and Alerts for latest levels." The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are visible over the New York Skyline on October 11, 2024 in New York City. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are visible over the New York Skyline on October 11, 2024 in New York City. Getty Images Geomagnetic storms, which are caused by bursts of solar wind that also create aurora borealis, can cause a variety of electrical and signal issues depending on how strong they are. At G2 strength, the National Weather Service predicts that the storm may damage transformers on electrical systems, and create "low-frequency radio navigation problems." The storm will also interfere with the flight paths of satellites in orbit by increasing drag. The same solar winds that create the storm also create the northern lights, which means over a dozen states might be able to see the phenomenon with the naked eye this week. What People Are Saying The National Weather Service's most recent warning update reads: "Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms. Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible. "Aurora may be visible at high latitudes in the northern tier of the U.S., such as northern Michigan and Maine." Astronomy professor Alex Gianninas of Connecticut College told Newsweek: "We are currently in the peak of the current solar cycle, Solar Cycle 25, and so increased activity at the surface of the Sun is normal. This includes geomagnetic storms that cause the Sun to expel large quantities of charged particles. "If those are directed towards the Earth, then once they get here, the Earth's magnetic field channels them down towards both the North and South poles and when they hit the nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere produce the beautiful Aurora that we see." What Happens Next The abnormal weather is expected to pass by the end of the week as the solar wind dies down.
Trade Arabia
2 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
SWPC celebrates Shuaiba 3 IWP project safety milestone
Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that the developers of the Shuaiba 3 Independent Water Production Plant have achieved a major safety milestone by clocking 12 million safe working hours since its launch. The project is being implemented by a consortium led by Saudi utility major Acwa Power (with a 68% equity stake) along with its key member Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel), a unit of Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, with the remaining 32% stake. The project, being set up at an investment of $821 million, is the first conversion project from Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) desalination technology to sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO), which is in line with the KSA Vision 2030 in terms of achieving zero carbon emissions, fuel saving and increased plant availability. With a production capacity of up to 600,000 cu m per day, the station will feed the water transmission system covering the Jeddah and Makkah regions, said SWPC in a statement. SWPC has already sealed a 25-year water purchase agreement (WPA) valued at nearly SAR3 billion with the Acwa Power-led consortium. Saudi Water Partnership Company CEO Eng Khaled Al Qureshi commended the entire project team on their while on a site inspection visit.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hill
Map: Could we see the northern lights again on Monday?
(NEXSTAR) — A 'powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the Sun' on Friday sparked severe-level geomagnetic storms on Earth, giving many across the U.S. the chance to see the northern lights Sunday night. If the activity in our atmosphere holds up, some could again have the possibility of seeing the aurora on Monday night. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center warned of the CME, brought on by an M8 solar flare, last week. Because it was traveling toward Earth, the SWPC warned of strong geomagnetic storms, with the potential to reach G4-strength (on a scale of 1 through 5) through Tuesday. As of Monday morning, the agency is forecasting storms up to G3 strength through the day, with weakening conditions into Tuesday. At times, conditions may not even be strong enough to prompt a G-scale rating. Like Sunday, some of the strongest geomagnetic storming will occur during the daylight hours in the U.S. That will inhibit us from seeing the atmospheric interactions — otherwise known to us as the northern lights — that are occurring overhead. Nonetheless, the SWPC shows G1 to G3 level storms could carry into Monday night. The current auroral forecast gives those in the northern U.S. the best chance at catching the celestial show after sunset. That includes states at or above the red view line on the map below. If you live along or near where the red view line reaches, you may only see the northern lights on the northern horizon. All or parts of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine could see the aurora on Monday. If conditions strengthen, the lights could become visible in parts of Oregon, Kansas and Illinois as well. It's worth noting, though, that conditions could weaken, and diminish the chance for the aforementioned states to see the aurora. Because conditions are expected to decline through Tuesday, the aurora viewing forecast isn't as promising for the Lower 48. As of Monday, the forecast gives only portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine, and all of North Dakota, a slim chance of seeing the northern lights. If you live in an area that, at least according to the forecast, should be seeing the northern lights, but you can't see them, you may want to try using your phone to catch a glimpse. Since the cameras on our smartphones are more sensitive than our eyes, they can better pick up on the celestial show during weaker conditions. It's recommended to use your phone camera's night mode, if available, or another method of extending the camera's exposure. You'll also want to keep your hands as steady as possible, which may mean relying on a tripod.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Northern Lights might be visible in Pennsylvania
ALTOONA, PA. (WTAJ) — According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a powerful geomagnetic storm is expected to impact Earth Sunday evening, leaving the potential for the Northern Lights — or Aurora Borealis — to be visible for Pennsylvania. According to the SWPC Explainer, this incoming storm is classified as a G4 or Extreme, meaning key assets to the power grid could be impacted for some regions. Some of the weather variables we are keeping an eye on for optimal viewing would, of course, be clear skies. However, there is one factor that may limit our viewing abilities: smoke in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Canadian wildfire smoke could deter our ability to see the event this evening, even though our sky cover is expected to cooperate. The best viewing will be tonight into the morning hours of Monday while looking due north. If you cannot see it with your eyes, hold your phone's camera up and watch through the camera lens or take photos using 'night mode.' The bending of light as it interacts with Earth's atmosphere will allow different colors to be seen on the visible light solar activity expected to reach a peak in 2025, don't worry if you happen to miss tonight's Northern Lights. Many more are likely on their way this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Will Massachusetts see the Northern Lights this week? Maps show a slight chance.
There is the chance for Massachusetts and many states across the U.S. to see the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis Sunday night. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch after a powerful coronal mass ejection or CME erupted from the sun the evening of May 30. According to NOAA, based off the strength of this storm the Northern Lights could become visible over much of the northern half of the U.S. and possibly as far south as Alabama. WBZ-TV weather graphic CBS Boston What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights? As of Sunday afternoon the KP index, which is used to characterize the magnitude of geomagnetic storms dropped to a 5 after being at an 8 earlier in the day. NOAA K-Index scale NOAA However, NOAA's SWPC says a G4 watch remains in effect for Sunday night, June 1, as CME passage continues. They noted that while the CME passage is slowly weakening, solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore periods of G3-G4 (strong - severe) remain possible. G4 watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1 (EDT), as CME passage continues. CME passage is slowly weakening, but conditions still elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 remain possible, although less likely. Continue to visit for latest info — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) June 1, 2025 The CMEs were expected to arrive to Earth sometime Sunday leading to immediate geomagnetic disturbances with the potential for G3 (Strong) levels, and a chance for G4 (Severe) levels. Northern Lights seen in parts of U.S. While there are no reports of the northern lights being seen in Massachusetts yet, they have been photographed in Colorado, Missouri, Nevada and as far south as New Mexico Sunday morning. NOAA says we may have the possibility to see the northern lights again on Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3, however geomagnetic storm levels will likely begin subsiding, weakening enough by Monday evening, that G1 (Minor) storm levels is the most likely peak response. WBZ-TV weather graphic CBS Boston If you catch the northern lights please send pictures to: newstips@
