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NYC officials warn ‘potential severe geomagnetic storm’ could disrupt critical systems
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 9, 2024
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 9, 2024
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New York City emergency management officials are warning about an incoming storm on Thursday — one of the solar variety.
A geomagnetic storm happens when changes in solar wind currents create “a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These conditions can eject millions of tons of plasma from the sun, which can arrive on Earth in a matter of hours.
The agency said one of these ejections happened on Tuesday, so the cosmic magnetic material is predicted to reach Earth as soon as Thursday. NOAA has issued a severe storm watch through Friday.
Despite the celestial storm's severity, people are unlikely to see or feel much of it directly, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. But the magnetic chaos could disrupt technology and critical infrastructure, including radio signals, GPS systems, power grids, satellites and other forms of communication.
“We're monitoring for effects, but the public doesn't need to take any actions at this time,” said Aries Dela Cruz, a spokesperson for New York City Emergency Management. “We obviously don't want to alarm people. We just want people to not be surprised if their Google Maps stopped working or anything like that.”
People in upper North America and some southern U.S. states might also be able to catch a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights due to the heightened solar activity, according to city emergency management officials.
This isn’t the first geomagnetic storm to affect Earth this year. The last one, which NASA has categorized as the strongest to reach the planet in two decades, started on May 10. Dela Cruz said Thursday’s storm will be the fourth geomagnetic storm to be observed during this solar cycle, which began in December 2019, according to NOAA.
Erica Grow Cei, a spokesperson for the Space Weather Prediction Center, said the agency has been communicating with power grid operators and satellite providers ahead of the event.
“They had the notice to take preemptive action to prevent some of the harsher consequences that can result from space weather,” she said. “We're still waiting to see just how strong the storm may be.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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new york city
public safety
Health and Science
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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