Coronal mass ejections warning: Mobile phone coverage, GPS and radio signals affected as severe geomagnetic storm reaches G4 level
Warnings have been issued as severe geomagnetic storms could impact mobile phone coverage, GPS and radio signals.
The UK woke this morning to a deluge of photography showing the stunning northern lights, visible in parts of the country last night, and while this is a positive impact of the severe geomagnetic storm happening out in space right now, it’s not all good news. The trio of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) reaching the earth’s atmosphere can also have an effect on modern life’s necessities including mobile phone coverage, GPS and radio signals.
The reason CMEs can cause issues with connectivity is they can interfere with satellite and radio signals. This can impact location-based services on your phone and cause mobile network outages. Geomagnetic storms can impact the infrastructure that supports mobile phone masts, potentially leading to spotty service or outages.
The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), located in Boulder, Colorado, have confirmed the CME has now reached G4 level - the second-highest classification - capable of causing widespread impacts. The alert also notes the possibility levels could reach even higher.
Their warning states: “An enhancement in the energetic portion of the solar radiation spectrum may indicate increased biological risk to astronauts or passengers and crew in high latitude, high altitude flights. Additionally, energetic particles may represent an increased risk to all satellite systems susceptible to single event effects.”
Potential impacts include power system voltage irregularities, surface charging of spacecraft systems, and increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites. Problems include intermittent satellite navigation (GPS) problems and intermittent high frequency radio.
The further north you are located, the greater the impact is likely to be. The worst hit will be those in Canada, Alaska, northern Europe, Scandinavia and parts of Russia. However, due to the severity of the storm, it could mean it’s not just those in high latitudes affected, with northern US and central Europe also at risk.
Northern lights visible in the UK
On the plus side, it does mean those further south may catch a glimpse of the northern lights, which were visible in UK skies on Tuesday night (November 11). The aurora borealis is expected to return overnight on Wednesday and, just like the disruption, there’s a chance those in lower latitudes could also catch a glimpse.
The Met Office confirmed the northern lights should be visible in the UK tonight thanks to three coronal mass ejections. Their aurora forecast said: “Three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are expected to arrive at Earth, two on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and another on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
“The aurora will be enhanced into Wednesday morning with enhancement persisting perhaps through to Thursday morning. Visible aurora expected across parts of northern UK and similar geomagnetic latitudes, with a chance of sightings further south across England and Wales, though cloud cover is expected to inhibit ideal viewing conditions for many parts.”