Late last January 31, 2017, a high-speed solar wind hit the Earth's atmosphere with a Geomagnetic K-index of G-5 reached the threshold set by experts. High-frequency communications are disrupted due to the strong geomagnetic storm.
According to The Watchers, the solar wind reached the brink level at around 23:59 UTC. This was again repeated on February 1 at around 16:10 UTC.
A solar wind is a stream of charged particles released from the upper surface of the atmosphere of the Sun. This stream of charged particles that consist of mostly of electrons, protons and alpha particles with specific thermal energies, are embedded within the interplanetary magnetic field.
The existence of these charged particles from the solar wind was first suggested by British astronomer Richard C. Carrington. Carrington and his partner Richard Hodgson independently made the first observation of the solar flare in 1859 and the day after, the geomagnetic storm.
Per National Weather Service from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, solar radiation from the solar wind are still in progress. Reports say that the solar wind created a strong radio blackout. The radiation affects the sunlit side of the Earth. Its impact was a temporary degradation of High-Frequency communications affecting communications with commercial aircraft over the Pacific.
Also, currently, strong Solar Radiation Storm from the solar wind is happening. It affects the high-frequency communication in polar regions that renders high-frequency unusable at the highest latitudes. Commercial Airlines are avoiding polar routes due to the disruptions of communications.
A geomagnetic storming reaching to a moderate level is occurring now as a result of the activity from March 5. The activity of the solar wind is expected to fall at midnight Eastern tonight with a coronal mass ejection associated with the previous event.
However, solar wind strong geomagnetic storming likely to cause damage or trips of the protective devices in power grid elements. GSM errors resulting from impacts to users with high accuracy requirements, as well as could cause an aurora visible from the northernmost states.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration region 1429 remains potent. Subsequent activity of solar wind is possible through the next 10 days.
