A powerful magnetic storm covers the Earth

2 January 2025 09:44

On the first day of New Year’s Day 2025, a powerful magnetic storm hit the Earth, which is still going on. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Meteoagent data.

On the evening of December 29, a super-powerful flare of the highest X1.1 magnitude occurred on the sun. Its peak was recorded at 09:18 Kyiv time, and the explosive phase lasted about 30 minutes. The emissions will reach Earth on the last day of 2024.

on December 31, the last day of 2024, a 7-point magnetic storm hit Ukraine. On Wednesday, January 1, the storm reached K-index 7 and was supposed to go away on January 2. But today the magnetic storm continues and has reached K-index 7.

However, on January 3, the geomagnetic activity will decrease to 4 points, and on January 4 , the magnetic activity will decrease to K-index 3, which is considered a low level.

Magnetic storms are expected on January 10, 16, 27, and 28. Their strength will range from four to five points.

Note that the forecast is subject to change as solar researchers update their data every three hours.

For those who are dependent on weather changes, it is especially important to be careful these days and pay attention to how you feel.

Magnetic storms

Magnetic storms are temporary perturbations of the Earth’s magnetic field caused by bursts of solar activity, such as coronal mass ejections or solar flares. They occur when powerful emissions of charged particles (plasma) from the Sun interact with the Earth’s magnetosphere. These solar plasma streams can change the shape and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, causing disturbances and magnetic storms.

Magnetic storms are classified according to their intensity – from G1 (weakest) to G5 (strongest). Severe magnetic storms (G3 and above) can cause problems in power grids, communication systems, satellite operations, and even aviation. Space agencies such as NOAA and NASA monitor solar activity and predict potential magnetic storms, which allows for precautionary measures to be taken.

During magnetic storms, solar plasma particles interact with the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the formation of bright northern lights at high latitudes.

How a magnetic storm affects health

Geomagnetic disturbances in the atmosphere affect people in the following ways:

magnetic fields affect bioelectrical processes in the body, which can lead to sleep disturbances, decreased performance, and irritability;
in people with cardiovascular diseases, storms can provoke exacerbations, increase blood pressure, cause heart rate, arrhythmia, heart pain, and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes;
can affect the nervous system and cause headaches, migraines, dizziness, irritability, insomnia, increased anxiety and other unpleasant sensations;
many people complain of weakness, fatigue, apathy, joint and muscle pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes even nausea and vomiting during a geomagnetic storm.