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These storms can create <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/national/solar-superstorm-could-wipe-out-the-internet-for-weeks">major disturbances</a> in the Earth’s magnetic field, <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/solar-storms-and-flares/">according to NASA</a>.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmko996gz001e01sf1l9co3ta@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7926694_2026-01-21-143134&withPlaylist=false&theme=blurred&playerDisplay-download=false&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>', 'isIframe': True, 'componentVariation': 'html-embed', 'fbInstantArticleHtml': '<iframe width="100%" height="165px" frameborder="0" src="https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7926694_2026-01-21-143134&withPlaylist=false&theme=blurred&playerDisplay-download=false&playerDisplay-logoType=Audacy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/html-embed/instances/cmko996gz001f01sfk1emnsbj@published'}, {'data': {'text': '“A Severe (S4) radiation storm is a rare event and exceeds the intensity during the October 2003 ‘Halloween’ space weather storms,” <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/s4-severe-solar-radiation-storm-progress-january-19th-2026">said the Space Weather Prediction Center Monday</a> of the recent solar storm conditions.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmko996gz001g01sf3eavbsnr@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-19 satellite measurements, the radiation storm had intensified to Severe (S4) on the NOAA Space Weather Scales Monday and it was still increasing. 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And sometimes they’re aimed at the Earth, and that's what a solar storm actually is.”", '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmko996gz001l01sfzuwa96y7@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'These particles are charged, Malik added. So, when they hit our planet’s atmosphere they get funneled through the magnetic poles. When they interact with the atmosphere they can also create <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/auroras/">auroras</a>, or colorful fields of light visible from Earth. This week, those were visible in California, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/northern-lights-may-put-show-us-tonight-rcna254881">Texas</a> and 22 other states, <a href="https://www.space.com/stargazing/auroras/northern-lights-may-be-visible-in-24-states-tonight-as-massive-cme-races-toward-earth">Space.com said</a>.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmko996gz001m01sfa1jq643h@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'As for geothermal storms, the Space Weather Prediction Center said G4 storm levels <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/g4-severe-geomagnetic-storm-levels-reached-19-jan-2026">were reached Monday afternoon</a> after the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (a large mass of solar material) that blasted from the sun on Sunday. 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Rare solar storm conditions reported this week

By Lauren BarryJan 21, 2026

Lauren Barry

Lauren Barry is a Chicago-based news content producer for Audacy’s central news team. She is the host/co-producer of The On Deadline Podcast, as…

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Severe solar storm conditions not seen in two decades were reported this week by the Space Weather Prediction Center. These storms can create major disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, according to NASA.

“A Severe (S4) radiation storm is a rare event and exceeds the intensity during the October 2003 ‘Halloween’ space weather storms,” said the Space Weather Prediction Center Monday of the recent solar storm conditions.

Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-19 satellite measurements, the radiation storm had intensified to Severe (S4) on the NOAA Space Weather Scales Monday and it was still increasing. As they intensified, these storms bring risks of increased radiation exposure for astronauts and flights on polar routes, enhanced risks to satellites, loss of over-the-horizon high-frequency communications in polar regions.

“SWPC has notified airlines, FAA, NASA, FEMA, NERC, and other stakeholders to support preparedness actions as conditions evolve,” said the prediction center.

Tariq Malik, editor in chief of Space.com, joined Audacy station KCBS Radio this week to discuss the storm.

“On an 11-year basis, it has this weather cycle where it has eruptions from the surface,” he said of the sun. “It’s a big ball of the gas, basically, and it has these huge eruptions that fling out charged particles in all directions. And sometimes they’re aimed at the Earth, and that's what a solar storm actually is.”

These particles are charged, Malik added. So, when they hit our planet’s atmosphere they get funneled through the magnetic poles. When they interact with the atmosphere they can also create auroras, or colorful fields of light visible from Earth. This week, those were visible in California, Texas and 22 other states, Space.com said.

As for geothermal storms, the Space Weather Prediction Center said G4 storm levels were reached Monday afternoon after the arrival of a coronal mass ejection (a large mass of solar material) that blasted from the sun on Sunday. It also said that “infrastructure operators” were notified to mitigate any potential impacts of the storm, such as GPS degradation.

Severe geomagnetic storm levels were reported again Monday, and a G4 geomagnetic storm watch was in effect.

“CME passage is expected to continue through 20 Jan, but conditions are likely to weaken later in the day,” said the Space Weather Prediction Center. “G1 levels remain possible on 21 Jan due to residual CME related effects. Forecasters have a fair measure of confidence in timing and of CME arrival at Earth.”

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