Magnetic storms at end of March: Dates when Europeans may be affected by geostorms

What is a magnetic storm

A magnetic storm is a perturbation of the Earth's magnetic field caused by solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The solar wind reaches the planet and causes the magnetosphere to fluctuate. For weather-dependent people, this can mean headaches, fatigue, or blood pressure spikes.

Forecast of magnetic storms for March 24-29

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the end of March will be quite turbulent:

March 24 - moderate activity is expected (K-index up to 4)

March 25 - a geomagnetic storm is possible (K-index 5).

March 26 - increased activity, a short-term storm of the second level (K-index up to 6).

March 27-28 - calm period, moderate activity (K-index 3-4).

March 29 - a repeated surge of activity to the level of a moderate storm is likely.

It is worth noting that all expert forecasts are preliminary, as solar activity is very variable and the situation can change even during the day. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the updates and warnings of scientists.

How magnetic storms affect humans

The most common symptoms:

• Sleep disturbances
• Increased irritability
• Headache and dizziness
• Migraine
• Irritability, aggression
• Depressive states
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases in weather-dependent people
• Fatigue and decreased concentration

Effects on the cardiovascular system

A study published in the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics showed that on days with a high K-index (an indicator of magnetic activity), there is an increase in the number of ambulance calls for hypertensive crises, arrhythmias, and heart attacks. This is due to the fact that magnetic fluctuations can affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulates blood pressure and heart rate.

Sleep disturbances and changes in hormonal levels

According to a study by the University of Helsinki, the production of melatonin, a sleep hormone, decreases during storm days, which can lead to insomnia, general fatigue, and a feeling of being "broken" even after rest.

Changes in brain activity

Neurophysiologists have found a correlation between geomagnetic storms and fluctuations in brain bioelectrical activity. Scientists have documented that during storms, the likelihood of headaches, dizziness, and a decrease in cognitive functions, such as concentration and decision-making speed, increases.

Exacerbation of psycho-emotional states

The International Center for Bioelectromagnetic Research (USA) indicates that during periods of strong geomagnetic activity, the number of visits to psychiatric services increases due to anxiety, irritability, and even panic attacks.

NASA research on pilots and astronauts

In its reports, NASA points out that changes in the Earth's magnetic field can affect the physiological parameters of even healthy people working in extreme conditions, such as on airplane crews or during missions to the ISS. During storms, they experienced changes in heart rate and increased fatigue.

What else is important to know:

Storms have the greatest impact on people with chronic diseases of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, and the elderly.

Young people and healthy people are more likely to experience storms as mild discomfort or not notice them at all.

How to reduce the impact of a magnetic storm

• Keep your water balance in check - more clean water, less coffee and alcohol.
• Reduce physical and psycho-emotional stress.
• Ventilate the room and get outdoors more often.
• It is important for people with cardiovascular disease to control their blood pressure.
• Avoid overeating and heavy meals on days with storms.

How to distinguish weather sensitivity from real health problems

Meteosensitivity is the body's reaction to changes in weather or geophysical conditions. But sometimes the symptoms that people associate with magnetic storms can signal serious illnesses.

When it comes to weather sensitivity:

• Symptoms only appear during magnetic storms, atmospheric fronts, or sudden weather changes.
• It is a temporary discomfort: mild fatigue, headache, drowsiness, or irritability that disappears in 1-2 days.
• The condition is normalized without medication, with enough rest, water, and adaptogens (such as ginseng or lemon balm).

When it can be a symptom of the disease:

• Headache that does not go away for a long time or is accompanied by severe dizziness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
• Regular pressure surges, even without storms.
• Heart rhythm disturbances, chest pains, shortness of breath - these are not about magnetic storms, but about cardiology.
• Symptoms last more than a few days in a row or significantly affect the quality of life.

Important: If the ailments are repeated each time during storms, but become stronger or more unusual, this is a signal to consult a doctor. Often, "writing off" symptoms to weather sensitivity delays the diagnosis of real problems.

A warning from scientists:

According to NASA and NOAA observations, the end of March could be a "rehearsal" for stronger storms in April. Astronomers attribute the current activity to an increased number of sunspots and flares, which coincides with the peak of the 25th solar cycle.

Sources: NOAA SWPC (spaceweather.gov), NASA (nasa.gov), European Space Agency (esa.int), Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA).

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.