A new series of geomagnetic storms is expected on Monday, April 21. This is due to the formation of a large coronal hole on the Sun, according to the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of IKI RAS and ISZF SB RAS.
After the recent strong storms, geomagnetic activity will only subside briefly and will intensify again by midday on Monday. According to forecasts, the probability of a level two magnetic storm starting by the evening is about 80%. The possibility of a calm situation is almost zero (0.1%), and the probability of stronger storms is about 10%.
The reason is a large coronal hole on the Sun, which generates a powerful stream of solar wind. Initially, the main part of this hole was below the solar equator, which reduced the risk of impact on Earth. However, over the past two days, it has expanded and now covers equatorial zones, from which the solar wind is almost guaranteed to reach Earth.
Currently, the wind stream is passing by, but in a couple of days it should reach our planet. If the size of the hole does not increase, the magnetic storms will last about two days - from Monday to Tuesday. In the worst case, they may affect part of the environment, but this event is not expected to last longer than three days.
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