Intense Geomagnetic Storms Expected to Release 20 Solar Flares, More Radio Blackout

Solar Flares Trigger More Auroras, Radio Blackouts

Further disruptions are possible in the coming days as sunspot 2975 continues with its temper tantrums, according to Space.com. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a 50%chance of minor to moderate radio blackouts on Thursday, March 31, while the risk goes down to 35% by Friday, April 1.

NOAA added that a strong radio blackout at the R3 level is a common occurrence that happens up to 2,500 times within the 11-year cycle of the Sun.

Although radio blackouts can be disruptive, the coronal mass ejection (CME) that accompanies solar flares has raised the chances of catching auroras more for those living in America and Europe, as well as in New Zealand and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

The U.K.'s official weather station, the Met Office, said that there might be more to come as the geomagnetic storms are expected to get worse throughout Thursday and Friday, with a 30% chance of intense geomagnetic storms at the G3 level and a 10% chance of a G4 storm. They warned that disturbed geomagnetic conditions may remain until Sunday, April 3.

Both G3 and G4 magnetic storms could cause minor problems to satellites in space and power grids on Earth. The weather agency also said that further moderate-class flares are possible in the coming days.

ALSO READ: Largest X-Class Solar Flare: Why It is Impossible for "Killer Solar Flare" to Destroy Earth

What is the Solar Cycle

The Sun is a massive ball of electrically-charged gas that moves and generates a powerful magnetic field. Every 11 years, the Sun's magnetic field undergoes a cycle - the solar cycle.

According to NASA's Space Place, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips during the 11-year-solar cycle in which the north and south poles of the Sun switch places, and it takes another 11 years for them to convert back. Due to the solar cycle, sunspots are affected, and solar flares are released.

Scientists track the solar cycle by counting the number of sunspots. When it has the least sunspots, the solar cycle could be at its solar minimum. Over time the solar activity increases and the number of sunspots will increase until the Sun reaches its solar maximum. As the solar cycle ends, the sunspots fade and go back to the solar minimum and another solar cycle begins.

Moreover, solar flares and coronal mass ejections can increase during the solar cycle, hence the geomagnetic storms currently bombarding Earth. The activity can cause auroras and impact radio communications, but extreme cases can also affect power grids.

Monitoring the solar cycle helps scientists create an accurate forecast of space weather to protect radio communications and keep satellites and astronauts in space safe.

Check out more news and information on Solar Flares in Science Times.