Boulder, Colorado – A strong geomagnetic storm is slamming Earth’s magnetic field tonight, triggering potential disruptions to GPS navigation, satellite communications, and power grid operations across the northern United States through early Thursday.
According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), G3 storm conditions were confirmed just after 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, with aurora activity possible as far south as Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon. The storm, caused by a coronal mass ejection from the Sun, is expected to continue fluctuating in intensity overnight.
Major cities including Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Billings may see increased aurora visibility under clear skies, while rural areas in northern states have the best chance of spotting the northern lights. However, the SWPC warns that intermittent GPS signal degradation and minor power fluctuations could affect aviation, communications, and electric infrastructure during peak storm intervals.
Operators of high-frequency radio, navigation, and satellite systems have been advised to take protective measures. Travelers are urged to monitor airline notices and avoid relying solely on GPS during this period. Those in remote areas may also experience brief communication outages.
The geomagnetic alert remains in effect until Thursday morning. NOAA will issue additional updates if G4 conditions develop or if auroral activity expands southward.