In a recent urgent communication from the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), it has been reported that Poland is currently experiencing a geomagnetic storm, reaching the second-highest level of intensity. This phenomenon heralds the possibility of observing auroras across the entire country but may also bring about undesirable consequences, particularly concerning issues with energy grids.
“Attention, update from our Center for Helio-Physical Forecasts! The geomagnetic storm has reached level G4 on a five-level scale. Problems with energy grids may arise. Possible issues with satellite tracking in Earth’s orbit. Aurora borealis may occur across the entire area of Poland,” read the statement from CBK PAN published on Sunday evening across social media platforms.
Several hours prior, the Center had informed that during the previous night, auroras were visible over the Polish coast and the northern regions of the country, triggered by a solar flare of class X1.2.
“A coronal mass ejection (CME) has reached us overnight, exceptionally fast and directed towards our region. The flare occurred during the night from March 22 to 23, around 1 am UTC. According to NOAA forecasts, CME was expected to arrive on the evening of March 24, causing a geomagnetic storm expected to last until March 25. Currently, we are experiencing G2 storms and auroras in the northern regions of Poland,”
commented Helena Ciechowska from the Center for Heliogeophysical Forecasts at CBK PAN on Sunday morning.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) refers to a large, often several times larger than Earth, strongly magnetized plasma cloud-accelerated in the solar corona and ejected into interplanetary space at high speed. It is one of the most significant factors shaping space weather.
The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) also informed about the possibility of observing auroras. “However, observation conditions may be hindered due to fairly extensive cloud cover,” stated the communication.