World told to brace for severe geomagnetic storm TOMORROW that could disrupt mobile phone networks and power grids

Earth is set to be hit by a powerful surge of charged particles from the sun beginning on Wednesday.

Officials issued an alert today around 12pm  ET, warning that the incoming solar activity could trigger a severe geomagnetic storm, reaching the G4 level on NOAA's scale. 

G4 is the second-highest classification, capable of causing widespread technological impacts, and the alert noted the possibility that levels could be even higher.

The US Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) said some electrical grid systems may temporarily shut down, spacecraft could experience increased drag or surface charging, and high-frequency radio signals may be spotty or blackout for hours.

Mobile phone networks could also be affected by the storm as solar activity can interfere with satellite signals, disrupt GPS timing or cause brief power outages at cell towers. 

This could lead to slower service, dropped calls, or temporary loss of coverage in some areas.

The strongest effects are expected at high latitudes, including much of Canada, Alaska, northern Europe, Scandinavia and parts of Russia. 

However, auroras, satellite issues, and power disruptions could extend to mid-latitude regions such as the northern US and central Europe.

'Detrimental impacts to some of our critical technology are possible, but mitigation is possible,' SWPC said. ' The general public should visit our webpage to keep properly informed.'  

The storm warnings, ranging from moderate to severe over the next few days, are caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields that erupted from the sun starting on November 9.

The SWPC's list of watches includes a moderate G2 for today, followed by a  G4 on Wednesday and a strong G3 is expected for Thursday.

The two powerful CMEs racing toward Earth are not ordinary solar eruptions, but are known as 'Cannibal CMEs.'

These happen when a faster-moving ejection from the sun overtakes an earlier one, merging into a massive shock wave that can supercharge geomagnetic storms once it collides with Earth's magnetic field. 

Tony Phillips of spaceweather.com said: 'Strong geomagnetic storms are possible on Nov. 12th when two CMEs are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. In fact, the two storm clouds could merge to form a potent 'Cannibal CME.' 

'Cannibal CMEs contain shock waves and enhanced magnetic fields that do a good job sparking and amplifying geomagnetic storms. 

'The last time one hit, on April 15, 2025, it caused a severe G4-class storm with auroras sighted as far south as France.'

The solar flare that erupted early Tuesday was identified as the largest in 2025.

The flare caused a radio blackout across Europe and Africa around 5am ET, briefly affecting aviation, maritime, emergency, GPS, radar and satellite communications.

Space scientist Steph Yardley described the solar activity as 'not very common,' noting these extremely energetic particles from the sun are so strong that ground-based detectors can pick them up.

'There have been 75 recorded since 1942,' she posted on X.

This flare came from sunspot AR4274, which has been highly active in recent days, producing two other significant flares on November 9 and 10.

Sunspots are temporary, darker patches on the sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding areas.

Officials warned that high-energy particles from the sun are triggering radiation alerts.

Passengers and crew on high-altitude polar flights may face slightly increased exposure. Satellites in low-Earth orbit, especially those flying over the poles, are vulnerable to temporary electrical disruptions.

Solar activity is expected to stay high because sunspot AR4274 is still facing Earth and is unstable. There’s a 75 percent chance of more medium (M-class) flares, which could cause brief radio blackouts, disrupt high-frequency communications and trigger minor geomagnetic storms, EarthSky reported.

There is also a 40 percent chance of another strong X-class flare, which could lead to widespread radio blackouts, interfere with satellites and GPS systems, affect power grids, and pose radiation risks to astronauts and high-altitude flights.

Another sunspot, AR4276, could also produce smaller flares with minor effects as it develops.