Geomagnetic storm could hinder radios, satellites as Hurricane Milton makes landfall

While Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton, a G4 "severe" geomagnetic storm is approaching and could affect communication by hampering radio signals and satellites, according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).

The geomagnetic storm is described as a "coronal mass ejection (CME)," an eruption of solar material and magnetic fields, is expected to arrive as early as Thursday morning, the laboratory and service center forecasts.

"A CME is anticipated to arrive at and impact Earth with the potential for elevated geomagnetic response and dependant upon the orientation of the embedded magnetic field, (and) potential exists for Strong Storm levels," according to the SWPC.

Geomagnetic storm to have 'detrimental impacts' on technology

The center predicts the storm, estimated to have speeds of 1,200 to 1,300 kilometers per second, will have "detrimental impacts" on critical infrastructure technology. During storms, the heat they create increases "density and distribution of density in the upper atmosphere, causing extra drag on satellites in low-earth orbit," the SWPC said.

The local heat the storms create can also "modify the path of radio signals and create errors in the positioning information provided by GPS," according to the center.

"Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours," the SWPC warned. " Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out."

The power grid may also be affected by "possible widespread voltage control problems," according to the SWPC.

Geomagnetic storm to create 'beautiful aurora'

Although the storm could hinder communication and negatively affect those impacted by Milton, many in the Northern half of the country could witness an aurora that as the potential to extend into the South, the SWPC said.

"While the storms create beautiful aurora, they also can disrupt navigation systems such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and create harmful geomagnetic induced currents (GICs) in the power grid and pipelines," according to the SWPC.

The center said it will not know the characteristics of the storm until it arrives 1 million miles from Earth and its speed and magnetic intensity are properly measured.