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May 14 2019, 12:30 UTC

One of the strongest storms in recent years is observed on Earth

Magnetic Storm level 3 on 14 May 2019

Today, 14 May 2019, ground stations registered one of the most powerful magnetic storms in recent years. The event is of the planetary nature that is to say that it gets recorded at all geographical longitudes. The disturbances of the magnetic field were predicted and expected. However, these should have not been exceeded above the minimum first level on a five-point scale. The event which has begun at around 7am MSK, contrary to the forecast, had immediately excelled the level 2, and by 10am MSK reached the third level on the magnetic storms’ five-point scale. Prior to this, during the year 2019 none of the observed on Earth disturbances of the magnetic field did rise above the minimum level 1. The last storm of the current third level was observed on 26 August 2018 and before that in September 2017.

According to the scale of magnetic storms developed by the laboratory, level three storms have a noticeable effect on technical equipment, especially on space technology, including the increase in deviations of the satellites on the orbit which causing problems in keeping their orientation. Regarding an impact on the ground systems, interruptions in satellite navigation and problems of low-frequency radio navigation are expected, as well as the interruptions in high-frequency radio communications. As a rule, during such events voltage correction in electrical systems is necessary. False alarms in security systems are also possible Starting from latitudes of 60 degrees and above, the Aurora Borealis can be observed.

Stabilization of the Earth magnetic field is expected by the end of the day (Moscow time).