Earth faces a double whammy from the sun today. Will the geomagnetic storm affect electricity?

Arab Weather - The Jeddah Astronomical Society revealed the possibility of Earth being hit by a geomagnetic storm on Sunday, September 14, 2025, as a result of what's known as a "double whammy" from the sun. This phenomenon offers a unique opportunity to view the aurora borealis in high latitude regions.

What is a geomagnetic storm?

Geomagnetic storms are disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field caused by solar activity. They can affect satellites, navigation systems, and electrical grids. They are typically classified from G1 to G5 according to their severity:

• G1: Limited impact and chance of seeing the aurora borealis.
• G2–G5: Greater disruptions to technology and infrastructure.

Details of the double whammy from the sun

• First strike: a weak collision with a coronal mass ejection (CME), an explosion of charged material ejected from the Sun.
• Second strike: Solar wind flow from a region known as a "coronal hole" shaped like a butterfly.

Storm impact on the ground

• The storm is expected to be a G1 category, with the potential to strengthen to a G2 if solar activity increases.
• Chance to see the aurora borealis at high latitudes.
• The impact on electrical grids is limited, but taking precautions remains important.

Storm within Solar Cycle 25

The potential storm is part of Solar Cycle 25, which began in December 2019 and is expected to reach its peak between November 2024 and March 2026, with the number of sunspots reaching peak levels.