A new magnetic storm is coming: how a solar flare will affect Ukraine
14 May 2025 13:39
Yesterday, May 13, a powerful solar flare occurred on the Sun, which could cause geomagnetic disturbances on Earth, including in Ukraine. Astronomers have classified this event as a class X1.2 flare, one of the most powerful solar phenomena, which is the seventh since the beginning of the year, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
What exactly happened on the Sun
According to international space observations, the flare began at 18:25 Kyiv time, peaked at 18:38 and ended at 18:44. It occurred in the active zone AR4086, located on the western edge of the solar disk.
During the flare, a coronal mass ejection occurred – a giant cloud of magnetized plasma. Astronomers note that this is the first flare of this magnitude since March 28 this year.
Will it affect Ukraine?
Although the bulk of the emission is not directed towards the Earth (which is a good sign), our planet may still feel the effects. The fact is that the region of the flare is connected to the Earth through interplanetary magnetic force lines.
For Ukraine, this means the possibility of geomagnetic disturbances in the coming days. According to meteorologists, the greatest activity is expected on May 15, when a high-speed stream of solar wind will reach our planet.
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How it will affect everyday life
For most Ukrainians, the geomagnetic storm will pass unnoticed, but there may be some effects:
- Temporary problems with radio communication, especially in the western regions of Ukraine.
- Minor interruptions in the operation of satellite navigation (GPS), which may affect the accuracy of location determination.
- There may be short-term problems with mobile communication in remote areas.
Weather-dependent people and people with cardiovascular disease may experience a deterioration in their health.
When to expect a storm
According to experts, the geomagnetic field will remain mostly calm on May 14, but on May 15, disturbances are possible due to the approach of a high-speed solar flux.
Additional geomagnetic fluctuations are expected on May 17, when another solar flare may reach the Earth, a consequence of the separation of a large filament (a structure of cold plasma) from the Sun, which was observed on May 12.
Is there anything to worry about?
Experts note that the predicted geomagnetic storm is classified as weak or moderate and does not pose a serious threat to infrastructure or health. Ukraine traditionally experiences less intense geomagnetic phenomena compared to northern countries due to our geographical location.
It is worth noting that the Sun is now near the peak of its 25th cycle of activity, so such flares and geomagnetic storms will occur more often in 2025-2026.
By the way, if the weather is clear, residents of the northern regions of Ukraine will have a small chance to see the aurora borealis on the evening of May 15-17, a rare phenomenon for our latitudes that sometimes accompanies noticeable geomagnetic storms.
How to reduce the negative impact of a magnetic storm
Magnetic storms are natural phenomena associated with solar activity, and although they rarely pose a serious danger, it is important to understand their impact.
Magnetic storms do not pose a serious health risk to most people. However, some studies indicate that mild disorders such as headaches, dizziness, insomnia, or deterioration of health in meteorologically sensitive people may occur during strong magnetic storms.
Experts advise avoiding stress, getting more rest, maintaining water balance, and minimizing physical activity.
To reduce the potential impact of magnetic storms, it is recommended to follow these tips
- avoid excessive outdoor exposure during the peak moments of the storm;
- limit physical activity;
- get plenty of rest;
- drink plenty of fluids;
- avoid stressful situations.
People with serious chronic diseases should consult a doctor about additional precautions during strong magnetic storms.
Drivers should be especially careful, as magnetic storms can affect concentration.
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