Magnetic storms in late September: When to protect your health
Will magnetic storms hit Ukraine from September 26 to 29 (photo: Freepik)
Magnetic storms can affect both human well-being and the functioning of technology. According to scientists, from September 26 to 29, moderate fluctuations of the geomagnetic field are expected, which may be felt by weather-sensitive people. We have gathered the geomagnetic activity forecast for these days, along with an explanation of what storms are, why they are dangerous, and how to mitigate their impact on the body.
Forecast of magnetic storms for September 26-29
According to NOAA SWPC, geomagnetic weather will be as follows:
September 26, Friday: Weak disturbances, slight chance of a G1-level storm.
September 27, Saturday: Relatively calm day, minor fluctuations up to K-index 3 in the afternoon.
September 28, Sunday: Increased geomagnetic activity, a moderate storm expected, K-index 4.
September 29, Monday: Geomagnetic activity remains, with a moderate storm at K-index 4. The storm will go down in the evening.
What is a geomagnetic storm?
Solar flares (also called solar or geomagnetic storms) are internal reactions on the Sun, including coronal mass ejections and surface flares, that release energy in all directions.
When this energy reaches Earth and interacts with our magnetosphere, it triggers geomagnetic activity. Magnetic storms are classified into five levels:
- G1 is the weakest, affects sensitive people, and may cause minor technical issues.
- G5 is the strongest, capable of disabling equipment, power systems, and seriously harming health.
How storms affect people
Most affected are:
- People with cardiovascular diseases
- Hypertensive patients
- Weather-sensitive individuals
- Those with sleep problems
- Elderly people
Possible symptoms:
- Headaches, dizziness
- Blood pressure fluctuations
- Irritability, fatigue
- Drowsiness and reduced concentration
- Flare-ups of chronic conditions
How to reduce the impact of magnetic storms
Experts recommend:
- Getting 7-9 hours of sleep
- Avoiding fatigue and stress
- Drinking enough water and herbal tea
- Limiting coffee and alcohol
- Taking light walks in the fresh air
- Avoiding excessive physical exertion
- Monitoring health and seeking medical help if necessary
Earlier, we explained how your body reacts when you give up caffeine.
Sources: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, ESA Space Weather Coordination Centre, NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory, PMC, BioMed Central, Nature.
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.
