Strongest Magnetic Storm Since September Erupts Over Northern Hemisphere
(CBS SF) -- A strong geomagnetic storm sparking bright auroras erupted early Wednesday morning over the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
The storm is listed as a G3 on the NOAA storm scale which is considered large, but not the most severe.
It's still strong enough to cause irregularities with power systems, GPS and security systems by triggering false alarms. Beyond the Earth's atmosphere, the storm could impact spacecraft and cause orientation problems in satellites.
The storm is also sparking auroras around the Arctic Circle, which can be seen as low as Illinois and Oregon.
"The interplanetary magnetic field tipped south, opening a crack in our planet's magnetosphere," the Space Weather Center said on its website. "Solar wind poured in to fuel the strongest magnetic storm since Sept. 2014."