The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has confirmed that a moderate geomagnetic storm is currently affecting Earth, with conditions expected to persist through at least June 25. This event is part of increased solar activity as we approach the peak of the current solar cycle.
The storm originated from intense X-class solar flares that erupted between June 17-19, sending coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hurtling toward Earth. When these charged particles interact with our planet's magnetic field, they create disturbances that can impact various technologies and infrastructure.
What makes this storm particularly noteworthy is the deployment of DAGGER (Deep Learning Geomagnetic Perturbation), an artificial intelligence system developed through a partnership between NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Department of Energy. DAGGER analyzes solar wind data from multiple satellites and can predict geomagnetic disturbances worldwide with remarkable accuracy, providing critical 30-minute advance warnings.
"With this AI, it is now possible to make rapid and accurate global predictions and inform decisions during a solar storm, thereby minimizing potential damage to modern society," explained Vishal Upendran, lead researcher on the DAGGER project. The system produces predictions in less than a second, with updates every minute.
The current storm follows a more severe G4 event that struck in early June, which caused widespread aurora displays visible as far south as Alabama. While the present G2 storm is less intense, SWPC warns it could still cause voltage fluctuations in power systems, degrade high-frequency radio signals, and potentially impact satellite operations.
DAGGER's deployment comes at a critical time, as solar activity continues to increase toward the solar maximum expected in 2025. The open-source nature of the system allows power grid operators, satellite controllers, and telecommunications companies to integrate the technology into their operations, potentially creating what researchers describe as "solar storm sirens" that function similar to tornado warning systems.