In May, many people were amazed by the beautiful colors of the northern and southern lights caused by a solar storm. I saw them for the first time in the UK. But behind the scenes, there were preparations to deal with the consequences. Radio systems had issues, Starlink faced outages, and navigation systems had problems. Flights were rerouted, and electric grids were protected.
Space weather scientists face a challenge in issuing effective warnings. Current classification systems are too simplistic for the complex nature of space weather. Geomagnetic storms are classified using scales ranging from one to five. The recent storm was classified as an extreme event, but the impact of a solar storm is difficult to measure. Factors like speed, mass, duration, and magnetic orientation of coronal mass ejections all play a role.
The May storm was a rare event, lasting for 24 hours. This makes it hard to communicate the risks of space weather accurately. Experts suggest updating classification scales to include more levels and cover different phenomena. One approach is a ‘traffic light’ model for warnings, where different colors indicate the severity of the storm and the necessary actions to take.
Collaboration among space weather centers globally is essential to refine reporting and response strategies. By updating classification systems and improving communication, scientists can ensure that the public is prepared for the real risks of space weather. As we experience the peak of the solar cycle, it’s crucial to understand how space weather impacts our daily lives and be better prepared for future events.