Overview
- An X1.9 solar flare on Jan. 18 launched a CME that struck Earth the next day, producing a G4 severe geomagnetic storm that NASA and NOAA ranked among the strongest in roughly two decades.
- Auroras spread far beyond polar regions, with sightings across the UK and Europe down to Spain, across North America as far south as New Mexico, and across Australia and New Zealand, including Australia’s east coast.
- In Victoria, Australia, heavy traffic and emergency responses followed mass gatherings at Cape Schanck, where a man in his 20s was treated after a cliff fall and taken to hospital in stable condition.
- With activity easing, NOAA forecast a Kp index near 4 for Wednesday night, offering lower‑level viewing chances across parts of up to 15 U.S. states, and UK observers received an amber alert from Aurora Watch.
- Reports noted temporary GPS disruptions during the peak, and agencies cautioned about potential impacts to satellites, navigation and power systems, though no new significant geomagnetic storms were expected Wednesday.