SOLAR STORM MAY DISRUPT POWER GRIDS

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that a severe solar storm is on its way to Earth, potentially posing a threat to power grids. NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl highlighted concerns about disruptions, especially in regions already affected by recent storms like Hurricane Helene.

This alert comes after energy bursts from the sun were observed earlier this week, suggesting a powerful geomagnetic storm that could temporarily interfere with energy and radio signals. NOAA has advised power plants and satellite operators to take precautions and has also informed FEMA about possible impacts on energy supplies.

According to Rob Steenburgh from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, areas like Florida are unlikely to experience disruptions unless the storm escalates. While experts believe the storm won’t be as severe as the record-breaking one in May, its full intensity will only be known as it approaches the spacecraft measuring point, about a million miles from Earth.