The USA Disaster Situation Report
NOAA PREDICTS SEVERE SOLAR STORM FOR SATURDAY
A large complex sunspot group has produced one of the largest solar flares
and associated radiation storms seen in recent years. The solar flare
occurred on the sun at about 6:24 a.m. EDT on July 14, according to
forecasters at NOAA's Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo. Solar
flares are classified by their peak x-ray intensity and this event was
classified as an X-5.9, on a scale of 20, which is considered to be a
strong event.
A large Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) associated with the flare, ejected
billions of tons of plasma and charged particles into space, which is now
heading towards Earth at a speed of 3 million miles per hour. The mass
ejection is expected to impact the Earth's magnetic field and result in a
geomagnetic storm on Saturday afternoon that may last until Monday. The
storm is expected to reach strong to severe levels (G-3 to G-4 on the NOAA
Space Weather Scales), which can adversely affect satellite operations and
power grids.
The solar flare has already caused some effects on Earth including strong
radio blackouts at the R-3 level on the sunlit side of the Earth. A solar
radiation storm is also in progress (S-3 on the NOAA Space Weather Scales)
which is categorized as strong. This is the largest solar radiation storm
since October of 1989. Solar radiation storms can reach Earth very quickly
and can cause effects such as low-level radiation for commercial jet crews
flying at high latitudes and single event upsets for satellites.
In addition, there is a good chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis Saturday
night through Sunday morning in the mid-latitudes and possibly lower.
Cities such as Washington, D.C., Seattle, New York, and Denver (with the
possibility of other cities located in the southern U.S), may be able to
observe this phenomena.
NASA's ACE satellite, in orbit between the Earth and Sun at a distance of 1
million miles from Earth, will detect any geomagnetic storms approaching
Earth and provide NOAA forecasters with a warning about one hour before
they reach Earth's magnetic field.
The information presented here is not authoritative.
It contains preliminary and partial information reports. It is intended to serve as a general daily digest of disaster related reports. Any other use is not intended or authorized.
The Disaster Center is a partner with CASI - Central Atlantic Storm Investigators. CASI is a group of over a thousand amateur and professional meteorologists, storm spotters, and weather observers from around the world dedicated to the observation and documentation of weather events
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