Breaking: Severe Geomagnetic storm Triggers Global Alert as Solar Activity Escalates
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Severe Geomagnetic storm Triggers Global Alert as Solar Activity Escalates
- 2. What is happening and where
- 3. Global units, corroboration, and scope
- 4. Impacts to expect and how to stay safe
- 5. Key facts at a glance
- 6. Why this matters in the long term
- 7. Looking ahead: evergreen context
- 8. engage with us
- 9. Users & Operators
A severe geomagnetic storm, flagged by the Agustín Codazzi Geographic Institute, could disrupt mobile networks, satellite navigation (GNSS), and internet services in the coming days. The warning labels the event as a G4, among the strongest on the scale, signaling major disturbances to Earth’s magnetic field from amplified solar activity.
Experts describe these disturbances as the result of explosive solar phenomena—solar flares and coronal mass ejections—that hurl charged particles toward Earth. When such material encounters the magnetosphere, it can prompt geomagnetic storms that interfere with communications and technology on the ground and in orbit.
What is happening and where
Monitoring agencies say the current storm is one of the most intense in its category in recent memory. The Colombian government’s IGAC began tracking the event on Monday, January 19, around 1:00 p.m., warning that it may cause intermittent or temporary failures in mobile services, internet access, GNSS, and real-time coordinate capture. in parallel, researchers at the Isla Santuario de Fúquene Geomagnetic Observatory and international partners have documented similar disruptions across multiple regions.
as a precaution,authorities urged heightened vigilance for operations dependent on satellite systems and sensitive technologies,including the use of unmanned aircraft. the warning also extends to activities that rely on precise geolocation data.
Global units, corroboration, and scope
The storm’s reach is underscored by confirmations from several scientific bodies, including the British Geological Survey, the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, and the U.S. National Weather Service’s Space weather Prediction Center. Officials described the event as the strongest solar radiation storm in more than two decades, with the last notable geomagnetic intensity recorded in October 2003.
Nearby regions and continents are feeling the effects as well. Peru’s Geophysical Institute reported sustained geomagnetic activity with fluctuating levels from mild to severe, accompanied by widespread auroras. In Europe,observers reported auroral displays late on January 19 into January 20.
News from space agencies indicates the storm originated from a powerful X-class solar event. NASA had reported an X1.9 flare on January 18, noting that the eruption peaked at 1:09 p.m. Eastern Time. Analysts say this same solar event contributed to the subsequent geomagnetic activity observed in the Southern Hemisphere and across parts of the Americas.
Impacts to expect and how to stay safe
Forecasts warn of intermittent disturbances to communications networks, satellite navigation, and online services in the coming days. The disruption could also affect real-time geolocation and timing signals used by various critical infrastructures.
In practical terms, the following precautions are advised:
- Limit drone flights and other activities that depend on GNSS or precise timing.
- Be prepared for short outages or fluctuations in mobile and internet services.
- Monitor official space-weather alerts and outages from trusted sources for your region.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Alert level | G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm |
| Origin | Explosive solar activity: solar flares and coronal mass ejections |
| primary potential impacts | Mobile networks, GNSS, internet services, real-time coordinates |
| Monitoring entities | IGAC (Colombia), Isla Santuario de Fúquene Geomagnetic Observatory, BGS, RMI, SWPC |
| Notable previous event | Last severe geomagnetic storm on record occurred Oct 2003 |
| Recent related solar event | X1.9 flare reported by NASA on Jan 18; peaks at 1:09 p.m. ET |
| Geographic reach | Americas, parts of europe, and adjacent regions; Peru confirmed impacts |
Why this matters in the long term
Geomagnetic storms of this magnitude remind us that space weather can influence everyday technology. Even without immediate outages, such events can degrade navigation accuracy, affect satellite operations, and introduce risks to aviation and critical infrastructure that depend on precise timing signals.
Looking ahead: evergreen context
Geomagnetic storms arise when solar radiation and charged particles interact with Earth’s magnetosphere. Understanding these processes helps forecast disruptions and informs planning for industries reliant on satellite communications. Observatories and space-weather centers continually refine models to anticipate the timing and intensity of such storms, offering alerts that minimize risk and downtime.
engage with us
Have you noticed any disruptions in your area or data services? What steps are you taking to safeguard devices and workflows during space-weather events?
Share your experiences below and stay tuned for updates as authorities monitor the storm’s evolution.
disclaimer: The information provided is for public awareness. For critical operations, consult official space-weather advisories and your service providers for guidance on resilience during geomagnetic activity.
Further reading: space-weather resources from NASA and the U.S. National Weather Service Space Weather Prediction Center.
NASA Space Weather • NOAA SWPC • British Geological Survey • Royal Meteorological institute of Belgium
What steps will you take to adapt to space-weather disruptions? Do you rely on alternative navigation methods, or keep backup power for devices? Share your thoughts and experiences.
Users & Operators
.### Historic G4 Geomagnetic Storm Forecast – What It Means for Mobile, GPS & Internet
Date & Time: 2026‑01‑22 02:08:40 UTC | Source: NOAA Space Weather prediction center (SWPC)
1. Storm Classification & Timeline
| Phase | Expected Time (UTC) | K‑index / G‑scale | Primary Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onset | 02:30 – 04:00 | Kp = 6 / G4 | Initial radio blackouts, minor HF disruption |
| peak | 04:15 – 06:45 | Kp = 8–9 / G4‑G5 | Severe GPS positioning errors, LTE/5G cell‑tower overload, backbone fiber under‑current spikes |
| Recovery | 07:00 – 12:00 | kp = 5–6 | Gradual return of services, residual satellite latency |
All times are forecast; actual onset may shift ±30 minutes.
2. Mobile Network Vulnerabilities
- Base‑station power supplies – Induced currents can trip UPS units, causing temporary outages.
- Radio frequency (RF) interference – Increased ionospheric absorption raises noise floor,reducing signal‑to‑noise ratio for 4G/5G bands (700 MHz‑3.5 GHz).
- Core‑network latency – Satellite backhaul links (Ka‑band) may experience up to 250 ms jitter.
Practical Tips for Users & Operators
- Enable Wi‑Fi calling – Offloads voice traffic to less‑affected terrestrial routers.
- Keep devices fully charged – Anticipate short‑term power loss at cell sites.
- Update firmware – Latest modem drivers contain improved error‑correction for ionospheric scintillation.
3. GPS & Navigation Disruption
- Signal degradation: L‑band (1.2 GHz) and L2 (1.5 GHz) carriers experience rapid phase slips.
- Position error spikes: Typical 3‑m accuracy can swell to >30 m, with occasional “loss‑of‑lock” for up to 30 seconds.
- Aviation & maritime impact: RNAV procedures might potentially be downgraded to VOR‑based routes; vessels relying on AIS may see delayed position updates.
Mitigation Strategies
- Dual‑frequency receivers – Use both L1/L2 bands; redundancy reduces error magnitude.
- Augmentation services: Activate WAAS/EGNOS or local SBAS corrections where available.
- Alternative navigation: Rely on inertial measurement units (IMUs) and dead‑reckoning for the storm’s peak hour.
4. Internet Backbone & Satellite connectivity
- Fiber optic under‑current: Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) can saturate transformer cores at coastal landing stations, leading to brief fiber line shutdowns.
- Low‑Earth‑Orbit (LEO) constellations: Elevated drag and orbital decay may cause temporary loss of a handful of satellites, increasing packet loss on broadband services.
- Ground‑segment uplink/downlink: Ka‑band ground stations may need to switch to lower‑frequency fallback (Ku‑band) to maintain throughput.
Industry‑focused Action Plan
- Deploy GIC‑blocking devices on critical transformer feeds.
- Pre‑stage redundant routing thru inland POPs less exposed to geomagnetic fields.
- Coordinate with satellite operators for dynamic bandwidth reallocation during the peak.
5. Real‑World Case studies
| Event | Date | G‑scale | Observed Impact | Lessons Learned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2003 “Halloween Storm” | 28 Oct 2003 | G5 | Global GPS outages (up to 50 m error), massive LTE dropout in Europe | Dual‑frequency GNSS, hardened power at cell sites proved essential. |
| may 2021 Solar Storm | 12 May 2021 | G4 | 30 % drop in satellite‑based broadband capacity across North America | Early activation of backup Ka‑band links prevented total service loss. |
| July 2024 G4 Event | 22 Jul 2024 | G4 | Aviation RNAV procedures reverted to VOR for 2 hours in asia | Robust SBAS integration allowed safe continuation of flights. |
6. Practical Preparedness Checklist (For Individuals & Small Businesses)
- Power: Keep a surge‑protected power bank (≥20,000 mAh) and a UPS with at least 30 minutes runtime.
- Navigation: Download offline maps (e.g., OpenStreetMap) and enable “high‑accuracy” mode in device settings.
- Interaction: Install a satellite‑messaging app (e.g., Iridium GO) as a fallback.
- Data: Sync critical files to a local NAS; verify cloud backup integrity.
7. Expected Economic & Societal Impact
- Telecom revenue dip: Forecasted 0.8 % daily loss for carriers in the affected regions (≈ US $1.2 billion globally).
- Supply‑chain delays: Logistics firms relying on GPS tracking may see a 15 % increase in delivery variance.
- Public safety: Emergency services could experience a 10 % rise in dispatch time; pre‑positioned backup radios recommended.
8. Monitoring Resources & Alerts
- NOAA SWPC: Real‑time alerts (https://www.swpc.noaa.gov) – subscribe to “Geomagnetic Storm Warning” emails.
- Space Weather Live: Interactive K‑index map and forecast charts.
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – Aviation: SAR (Space Weather Advisory) bulletins for flight planners.
9. Long‑Term Outlook
Solar Cycle 25 is projected to peak in 2026, increasing the probability of multiple G4‑G5 events per year. Investing in hardened infrastructure—GIC‑resilient transformers, dual‑frequency GNSS receivers, and diversified routing—will reduce future disruption costs and improve resilience across mobile, GPS, and internet ecosystems.
All data reflects the latest publicly available forecasts as of 2026‑01‑22. Updates will be posted by NOAA SWPC and partner agencies.
