Christmas canceled? Solar storm heading toward Earth could shut down power grids

RT.com ^ | 12/23/2016

[BenLurkin]

Millions will be dreaming by the fire soon, but a special Christmas delivery could come early. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a solar storm blasting Earth any day now, according to The Sun.

A fast stream of solar wind has reportedly hit Earth's magnetic field, generating a "moderately" strong geomagnetic storm which could last for several days, The Sun reported, citing the NOAA.

Solar storms occur when plasma from the sun is blown toward Earth in a stream of supercharged particles. Most notably, these storms create the natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights. However, the surge of electrons can also cause interference for electronic devices and navigation systems.

The effects is similar to a massive electromagnetic pulse (EMP) caused by a nuclear weapon detonated in the sky.

[Buttons12]

Incoming bombshell you won’t believe!!
Well actually I don’t :)

[Secret Agent Man]

Just stay alert. Obama likes to milk real and fake “crises”.

[BoomerBill]

We should be okay. We’ve been dealing with another sort of EMP for the last eight years.

[hal ogen]

If only we had heeded the brilliant seer, algore. If only... Good Bye Cruel World!

[blam]

It's Always Something. (IAS)

[Timpanagos1]

RT=Fake News

[mewzilla]

The Sun needs a barf bag.

[jimmygrace]

Is it budget review time for NOAA already?

[tired&retired]

SPACEWEATHER.COM

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: As Christmas approaches, a high-speed stream of solar wind continues to blow around Earth. The pressure on our planet's magnetic field is sparking bright auroras around the Arctic Circle. Last night in Orkanger City, Norway, the sky filled with green and purple curtains:

Mindful that Earth might soon begin to exit the solar wind stream, NOAA forecasters have downgraded the chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Dec. 23rd to 35%. At the moment, however, the solar wind is still blowing faster than 600 km/s. Arctic sky watchers should remain alert for auroras.

[Jimmy The Snake]

Blame it on Global Warming ;)

[BenLurkin]

If I had a bucket list, seeing the auroras would be on it.

[fwdude]

Obama likes to milk real and fake “crises”.

Yes, he'll somehow find a way to blame us for the solar storm because we wanted to drive SUV's.

[109ACS]

They past couple of days have seen some freakish propagation on 2 meters. Maybe this is related.

[peeps36]

One thing I hope president Trump will do is harden our power grid to terrorist attacks. That's something I wouldn't mind seeing some tax dollars spent on. Better then wasting it on the usual pork.

[Secret Agent Man]

Libs:

O MY God its SOLAR WARMING!!!!!

(yes I coined it, Solar Warming)

[SkyDancer]

Paging Energizing Bunny to the white phone ....

[Tucker39]

The big networks like to inflate these things. They like the low info folks’ eyes glued to the TV and white knuckling the arms of their chairs.

[tired&retired]

[Mouton]

Maybe if the timing is just right, the nav systems on AF1 could go haywire when the infant president is returning. Hopefully his dream is sustained in that he gets on Mt Rushmore, except not as he wanted, at 7000 feet at 575 KPH.