Sun releases the largest solar radiation storm ‘in over 20 years,’ forecasters say

By Ashley Strickland, January 19, 2026

"Powerful solar activity released by the sun is heading for Earth and it’s likely to create dazzling auroral displays in unexpected areas Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. It could also disrupt #satellite-based communications and #GPS accuracy.

"A solar radiation storm, ranked at a level four out of five on a severity scale, is being tracked by the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center, or #SWPC.

" 'An #S4 severe #SolarRadiation storm is now in progress - this is the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years,' SWPC shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'The last time S4 levels were observed was in October, 2003. Potential effects are mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations.' "

Read more:
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/science/largest-solar-radiation-storm-auroras

#SolarFlare #GeomagneticStorm #Satellites #KesslerSyndrome? #Starlink

Sun releases the largest solar radiation storm ‘in over 20 years,’ forecasters say

By Ashley Strickland, January 19, 2026

"Powerful solar activity released by the sun is heading for Earth and it’s likely to create dazzling auroral displays in unexpected areas Monday evening and early Tuesday morning. It could also disrupt #satellite-based communications and #GPS accuracy.

"A solar radiation storm, ranked at a level four out of five on a severity scale, is being tracked by the National Weather Service’s Space Weather Prediction Center, or #SWPC.

" 'An #S4 severe #SolarRadiation storm is now in progress - this is the largest solar radiation storm in over 20 years,' SWPC shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'The last time S4 levels were observed was in October, 2003. Potential effects are mainly limited to space launch, aviation, and satellite operations.' "

Read more:
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/science/largest-solar-radiation-storm-auroras

#SolarFlare #GeomagneticStorm #Satellites #KesslerSyndrome? #Starlink

A solar proton storm (S3) is already in progress after a powerful X-class solar flare. Now NOAA warns a SEVERE G4 geomagnetic storm is possible the night of Jan 19–20, when a CME from an X1.9 long-duration flare hits Earth. Aurora may be visible across northern U.S. states—and camera-visible color could reach as far south as AZ, TX & SoCal. Charge phones and look north! https://spaceweather.com/

#SolarStorm #AuroraAlert #SpaceWeather #GeomagneticStorm #CME #SolarFlare

A solar proton storm (S3) is already in progress after a powerful X-class solar flare. Now NOAA warns a SEVERE G4 geomagnetic storm is possible the night of Jan 19–20, when a CME from an X1.9 long-duration flare hits Earth. Aurora may be visible across northern U.S. states—and camera-visible color could reach as far south as AZ, TX & SoCal. Charge phones and look north! https://spaceweather.com/

#SolarStorm #AuroraAlert #SpaceWeather #GeomagneticStorm #CME #SolarFlare