Scientists Predict Strong, Prolonged G3 Geomagnetic Storm

Scientists are forecasting the onset of a powerful and extended G3-class geomagnetic storm, expected to begin this evening. The storm is a result of several plasma clouds, ejected by the Sun yesterday during a series of intense solar flares, heading towards Earth.

The Laboratory of Solar Astronomy at the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported that despite the solar eruptions occurring about 10 hours apart, the storm is anticipated to be continuous. Calculations suggest that later ejections of solar matter will catch up to earlier plasma clouds en route to Earth, forming a single, massive structure approximately 200 million kilometers in size.

Given the size and trajectory of this ejected gas cloud, scientists believe it is virtually impossible for Earth to avoid encountering it. Geomagnetic storms of the G3 level are classified as strong but not record-breaking. A similar G3 storm occurred earlier this year on March 21.