Solar Storms: A Spectacular Display of Colorful Auroras and Radio Blackouts

Multiple solar explosions have resulted in coronal mass ejections (CMEs) heading towards Earth, potentially causing a strong geomagnetic storm and visible aurora borealis in the northern United States and Europe on Thursday or Friday. While solar storms can disrupt technology, this particular storm is not expected to cause major disruptions. The strongest explosion produced a pulse of extreme radiation, temporarily disrupting radio communications. The CMEs may combine into a "cannibal" CME, potentially causing a strong geomagnetic storm with intermittent disruptions to satellite navigation and radio communications. The University of Alaska's aurora forecast predicts the northern lights to be visible as far south as Minneapolis and Milwaukee.