Magnetic storms of a global nature have begun on the planet, as reported by the press service of the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the IKI RAS on its Telegram channel. Currently, the level of magnetic activity is rated as G1, but there is a possibility of it rising to G2 or G3 levels over the next 24 hours.
According to scientists, the current phenomena represent the magnetosphere's response to high solar activity that has been observed since the beginning of the month. The IKI RAS emphasized: "The storms do not have a single specific cause but are a general reaction of the Earth's magnetosphere to extremely high solar activity."
A key moment was the appearance of the edge of a plasma cloud ejected on February 2 during one of the most powerful solar flares of class X8.1 in the last year and a half. Intense auroras are being recorded in the western hemisphere, and according to scientists, the situation in the European part of Russia will clarify in the coming hours.
On February 3, a high-category X flare occurred on the Sun, rated at X1.5.
This flare became the fourth X-class flare since the beginning of 2026, and the flare that occurred on February 2 turned out to be the third most powerful in the current 25th solar cycle, which is characterized by changes in solar activity and lasts on average 11 years.
- Magnetic storms are classified on a scale from G1 to G5. The G1 level is considered weak and may cause minor fluctuations in the operation of energy systems and radio communications. G2 and G3 levels refer to moderate and strong storms that can disrupt navigation, radio communications, and satellite operations. G4 and G5 levels are considered extreme and can significantly impact infrastructure and technology.
