Edinburgh could see some side effects from a solar flare storm within the next two days after a NASA warning predicted a direct hit with Earth.
Known to cause power and radio blackouts, the unique geometric storm could hit the planet's magnetic field on Thursday, according to top scientists.
Although not expected to cause any major damage or disruption, the effects of the storm can cause some power fluctuations across the world, reports the Daily Express.
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Speaking on social media this week, weather physicist Tamitha Skov shared the latest NASA model which predicted a fast solar wind stream will give the storm a push into Earth on Thursday.
She said: "Direct hit – solar storm prediction models from both NOAA and NASA show the storm hits April 14, just ahead of a fast solar wind stream.
"This should intensify the storm as the stream will give it a push from behind!"
She added: "Chances of reaching G2-level conditions are 80 percent at high latitudes and 20% at mid-latitudes.
"Radio blackout risk remains low, but amateur #radio operators and GPS users face disruptions on Earth's nightside."
When solar storms reach Earth's magnetic field blackouts could cause power outages if they directly hit transformers, reports the Daily Express.
NASA says the G2-class storm will arrive due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) - a major plasma release from the sun's outer layer.
Such a storm occurs if enough energy from the solar wind is exchanged in a close proximity to Earth.
The storms are then ranked by US Space Weather Center (SWPC) on a scale of G1 Minor up to G5 Extreme.
It says when CMEs collide with the planet's magnetosphere "all of that extra radiation can damage the satellites we use for communications and navigation, it can disrupt power grids that provide our electricity".
The incoming disturbance could cause auroras, similar to the Northern Lights.
The aurora borealis itself could be visible from Sunday until Tuesday if skies are clear enough, says the Met Office.
Ms Skov went on to say: “Aurora field reporters, be sure to charge your camera batteries!”
She continued: "The NASA solar storm prediction model shows the hit occurring a little later on April 14 at 12pm UTC time compared to the NOAA model, which shows the arrival a bit earlier at 7am UTC time!
Either way, both indicate an excellent chance for aurora!”
It comes after a G3 storm - classed as major - struck the atmosphere on Sunday, and was still being felt on Tuesday.
Experts have warned the Earth would struggle to contend with the effects of a G5 storm should it occur.
According to SpaceWeather.com, the current solar winds are blowing at 516.6 km/sec with a density of 7.5 protons/cm3.
At the end of March, 17 solar flares erupting from a single spot on the sun lead to another solar storm warning.
NASA observatories spotted the flares before announcing at least two of them were on direct collision course with the Earth.
