I’ve written before about how solar storms and solar flares can disrupt Internet services. See https://charlesworks.com/solar-flares-activity-and-its-impact-on-radio-waves for more detailed info.

A strong solar storm is again currently underway, and experts are predicting significant effects from October 4th through October 6th, 2024. This storm is the result of two massive coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun. These CMEs, which occurred on October 1 and October 2, followed a powerful X7.1 solar flare, one of the largest solar events in recent years. When solar flares like these release large amounts of solar wind and plasma, the particles can collide with Earth’s magnetosphere, causing geomagnetic storms. The result? Stunning auroras that may be visible as far south as Oregon and Illinois [source].

Solar Storms May Affect Internet and Communications

While the auroras are a beautiful byproduct of these geomagnetic storms, they can also disrupt technology on Earth. They  particularly can affect Internet and communication services. The following speak to what may be affected and how.

Website Browsing and Internet Services

Solar storms can interfere with satellites responsible for Internet and GPS services. When geomagnetic storms reach strong levels, like the current G3-class storm, they disrupt satellite signals by causing rapid changes in Earth’s magnetic field. This can degrade signal quality or even lead to temporary outages. So, if you notice websites loading slowly or becoming inaccessible over the next few days, the solar storm could be to blame [source].

Email and Messaging

Similarly, email services that rely on cloud platforms or satellite links may experience delays. Some users might notice that their emails take longer to send and receive, or that their services are intermittent. Severe solar interference can cause temporary email outages, especially if satellite-based servers are affected [source].

Text Messaging and Mobile Services

Solar storms directly affect basic mobile services. Geomagnetic storms disrupt the satellites and ground stations that mobile networks depend on. You may experience delays in sending text messages, dropped calls, or poor call quality due to the noise introduced by the storm. In extreme cases, cell towers could suffer damage, though this is more likely in stronger G4 or G5-class storms [source].

Prepare for Potential Outages

While this G3-class storm is unlikely to cause widespread damage, the potential for localized disruptions remains. Power grids could also face minor issues, especially in regions closer to the poles, where the storm’s effects are stronger. Fortunately, most services should recover quickly after the storm subsides [source].

It’s a great time to enjoy the auroras if you’re in the right location.

Expect hiccups in your digital life over the next few days, especially with Internet and communication services.

See https://charlesworks.com/solar-flares-activity-and-its-impact-on-radio-waves for more info on solar flares activity and its impact on radio waves which affects Internet services.