Solar storm alert in South Africa
A severe solar storm recently hit Earth, disrupting satellite navigation systems in South Africa. While the storm has since weakened, lingering effects may still impact navigation accuracy.
A powerful solar storm made its presence felt on Earth, causing disruptions to satellite navigation systems in South Africa.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) space weather centre reported that a severe-class solar storm hit on Wednesday, followed by a minor-class storm on Thursday.
The storm was triggered by a coronal mass ejection associated with filament eruptions on Sunday, which began arriving on Tuesday, 15 April 2025.
Geomagnetic storm conditions have since declined to a G1/Minor level, but SANSA warns that global navigation satellite systems and high-frequency radio could still be impacted, reports My Broadband.
This solar storm is part of a larger phenomenon as the sun reaches its most active period for solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
SANSA has noted that intense solar storms tend to happen near solar maximum, a period of heightened solar activity in the sun’s approximately 11-year cycle.
In recent months, South Africans have witnessed rare and spectacular displays of the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights. SANSA recorded the strongest Earth-facing solar flare it had seen in seven years on May 3, 2024, measuring X9.05.
As the sun continues its solar cycle, experts are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Solar physicist Dr Keith Strong notes that a new model predicts the most probable peak in solar activity may have occurred in August 2024, but the sun's behaviour can be unpredictable.
While the storm's immediate effects may have subsided, SANSA's monitoring will continue to ensure public awareness and safety.
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