Key Points
The last time there was a G5 or extreme geomagnetic storm was in October 2003, when it caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa..
Scientists are warning of possible disruption to critical infrastructure such as power grids and satellite communications due to a severe solar storm, due to enter Earths atmosphere over the weekend..
British Geological Survey is forecasting a G4 geomagnetic storm which may affect global communications and positioning systems as multiple waves of solar energy bear down on the planet...
There is an average of 100 severe geomagnetic storms every solar cycle, but so far, there have only been three observed in the most recent cycle that began in December 2019..
A leading space weather scientist who spoke to The National from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) believes the upcoming cycle is more powerful than the last with substantial risk to satellites in low-Earth orbit..
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