British News Agency

Powerful solar activity emitted by the Sun is moving toward Earth and is likely to create dazzling aurora displays in unexpected regions on Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. It could also disrupt satellite-based communications and GPS accuracy.

The National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is tracking a solar radiation storm rated level four out of five.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the SWPC said: “An S4-level solar radiation storm is currently ongoing — the largest seen in more than 20 years. The last time S4 levels were observed was October 2003. Potential impacts are primarily limited to space launches, aviation, and satellite operations.”

According to the SWPC, the Halloween space weather storms of October 2003 caused power outages in Sweden and damage to power transformers in South Africa.

When solar radiation storms reach Earth, they can increase radiation exposure risks for astronauts in low Earth orbit, such as those aboard the International Space Station, and for passengers on flights traveling along polar routes.

The SWPC has notified airlines, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and other operators to prepare for the storm.