Within the next 48 hours, a geomagnetic storm will be heading for a "direct hit" with Earth which could result in loss of power, GPS and radio.
NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) models predict a fast solar wind stream will provide a push for the cyclone shortly before it impacts with our planet's magnetic field on Thursday. When this happens, the situation is expected to "intensify", according to an expert.
Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov took to Twitter today to provide a warning of the cosmic event which could cause chaos for satellites and spark power fluctuations. 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.
Read more:
"This should intensify the storm as the stream will give it a push from behind! 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."
According to NASA, the G2-class storm will come as a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) which includes a major plasma released from the sun's outer layer. A storm like this occurs when enough energy from the solar wind is exchanged in close proximity to Earth, the Mirror reports.
The US Space Weather CEntre (SWPC) said that when CMEs collide with the planet's magnetosphere, "all of that extra radiation can damage the satellites we use for our communications and navigation, it can disrupt power grids that provide our electricity".
But it's not all doom and gloom as keen-eyed viewers may be able to spot the Northern Light (Auroras) in the sky, according to the Met Office. A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Tomorrow night [April 14] we can expect a moderate geomagnetic storm and some possible visible auroras in the north, although this is much more likely in the north of Scotland rather than in Manchester, on this occasion.
"In addition, with some overnight cloud cover in the north on Thursday night, anything visible for your readers is very unlikely."
Ms Skov also said: "Aurora field reporters, be sure to charge your camera batteries! 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!”
Click here for the latest headlines from the Manchester Evening News
