Why tonight's massive solar storm could disrupt communications and GPS systems

Buckle up: Solar activity this week could disrupt important technologies society relies on. The US government issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch, warning of earth-directed coronal mass ejections and sunspots. The storm is expected to affect the power grid, satellite communications, and high frequency radio communications. The radiation from the solar activity will cause fluctuations in the ionosphere, potentially affecting spacecraft and blocking or degrading radio transmissions. GPS satellites and shortwave radio transmissions could be impacted. Cellphone service is unlikely to be affected, but power grid disruptions could have indirect impacts. Severe space weather can jeopardize power grids, causing widespread voltage control problems and tripping out key assets. A blackout of the electrical grid could also affect cellular towers and data centers. It is advised to be prepared for a solar weather event by having extra batteries or a hand-powered charger, disconnecting electric appliances to protect them from power surges, and limiting electricity usage.