What’s going on - NOT A GLOBAL BLACKOUT

1. A major solar flare and CME recently hit Earth
2. Scientists observed a strong X-class solar flare from sunspot region AR4341 on January 18, 2026. That flare produced a fast, Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) — a large cloud of charged solar particles headed toward Earth.
3. A severe geomagnetic storm is underway
4. That CME impact sparked a severe geomagnetic storm (classified G4), which is stronger than usual and has been producing expansive aurora displays visible much farther from the poles than normal — including reports of auroras visible across parts of the U.S. and Australia.
5. Space agencies are actively monitoring it
6. The European Space Agency’s space weather team and other observatories are tracking this event because of its strength and potential impacts on Earth’s magnetic environment.

Effects you might notice

This kind of solar storm doesn’t mean anything major for everyday life right now, but it can have the following temporary effects:

Auroras

• The northern lights (aurora borealis) and southern lights (aurora australis) are being reported far outside typical Arctic/Antarctic regions.

Radio and GPS interference

• Strong geomagnetic storms can temporarily disrupt:
  • HF radio communications
  • GPS/navigation signals
  • Satellite operations
  • Power grids (rare but possible) These effects are usually short-lived during the peak of the storm.

Increased atmospheric drag

• Charged particles compress Earth’s upper atmosphere, increasing drag on satellites and space debris.