Strong magnetic storms will cover Russia today — what will happen and what consequences of the geostorm to expect on December 9th and 10th

Magnetic storms are expected early this week. In addition, they may cause the northern Lights. About what the upcoming magnetic storms will be like, when they will come to Moscow and on what dates to observe the aurora borealis — in the material of Izvestia.

When magnetic storms

Strong and medium-sized magnetic storms are expected on December 9th (Tuesday) and 10th (Wednesday). This was announced by the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Institute of Space Research (IKI) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISSF) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Storms will occur due to the arrival of plasma ejections to the Earth after an M8.1 class flare.

"G2–G3 magnetic storms (moderate to severe) are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9 and 10, as a result of the arrival of plasma ejections to Earth after an M8.1 class flare. The flare was moderate in strength, but due to the location of the center of the explosion exactly on the Sun-Earth line, a blow to the planet is expected practically frontal, that is, it will happen with maximum efficiency," the laboratory said in a statement.

According to their forecasts, there are no factors that could reduce the impact.

The peak of the magnetic storms will be on the afternoon of December 9th.

The last direct impact on Earth was almost a month ago, on November 12-13. The outbreak led to a G4—level magnetic storm, which is a "very strong storm," according to the IKI RAS.

Magnetic storms in Moscow

Strong magnetic storms are expected in Moscow at the beginning of the week.

Monday, December 8th:

The probability of a magnetic storm is 65%, the probability of an excited magnetosphere is 20%. At the same time, according to forecasts, the magnetosphere is mostly calm on December 8. She'll be horny by nightfall.

Tuesday, December 9th:

There will be magnetic storms all day on December 9th, with a 96% chance of them. Storms will be mild (G1) until 06:00, and moderate and strong (G2 and G3) from 12:00 to 18:00. By evening, the storms will begin to subside and reach the G1 level.

Wednesday, December 10th:

The probability of a magnetic storm is 70%, and the probability of an excited magnetosphere is 25%. Storms are not expected on the night of December 9th to 10th. However, they will occur in the early morning and last until 12:00. These will be G1-level storms. After lunch, the magnetosphere will begin to calm down and by evening it will reach a calm state.

Northern lights

On December 9th and 10th, experts also predict the Aurora borealis. According to the IKI RAS, magnetic storms combined with high values of geomagnetic indices create favorable conditions for the formation of auroras.

"It should be noted that winter time is on average more favorable for observing this phenomenon due to the much darker sky, as well as (especially in frosts) due to the good transparency of the atmosphere," the message says.

However, due to cloudy weather in the central part of Russia, the aurora may not be visible.

"The weather is mostly cloudy at the moment, so it would be too optimistic to rely on favorable conditions for observation. But no one forbids hoping for the best," the statement says.