Science and Exploration

Severe Space Weather Warning

By Keith Cowing
Press Release
January 7, 2015
Filed under , , ,
Severe Space Weather Warning
Sun today
NASA/ESA/SOHO

NOAA has issued a space weather warning of the potential for a geomagnetic K-index of 7 or greater. Severe to extreme space weather conditions may result. Resulting aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.

Space Weather Message Code: WARK07
Serial Number: 45
Issue Time: 2015 Jan 07 1122 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 7 or greater expected
Valid From: 2015 Jan 07 1122 UTC
Valid To: 2015 Jan 07 1500 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
NOAA Scale: G3 or greater – Strong to Extreme

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 50 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.

Induced Currents – Power system voltage irregularities possible, false alarms may be triggered on some protection devices.

Spacecraft – Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites and orientation problems may occur.

Navigation – Intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range error may occur.

Radio – HF (high frequency) radio may be intermittent.

Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as Pennsylvania to Iowa to Oregon.

SpaceRef co-founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.