A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said extreme geomagnetic storm conditions continued Saturday, and there were preliminary reports of power grid irregularities, degradation of high-frequency communications and global positioning systems.
But the Federal Emergency Management Agency said that, so far, no FEMA region had reported any significant impact from the storms. The U.S. Department of Energy said Saturday it is not aware of any impact from the storms on electric customers.
Text by TOM KRISHER, JOSH FUNK and MARCIA DUNN Associated Press
WHITLEY BAY, ENGLAND – MAY 10: People visit St Mary’s lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, on May 10, 2024 in Whitley Bay, England. The UK met office said a strong solar storm may allow northern parts of the UK the chance to see displays of aurora. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon at St. Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast, England, Friday, May 10, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
A person takes a photo of Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns /The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: The Aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights, is seen on May 11, 2024 in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
LATOURELL, OREGON – MAY 11: The Northern Lights are seen above the Columbia River Gorge from Chanticleer Point Lookout in the early morning hours of May 11, 2024 in Latourell, Oregon. Places as far south as Alabama and parts of Northern California were expected to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights from a powerful geomagnetic storm that reached Earth. (Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)
Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, above the Forth Bridge at North Queensferry, Scotland Friday May 10, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
The Northern Lights appear in the night sky over East Brandenburg, Friday, May 10, 2024. Brilliant purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights were reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London, and the United States and Canada. (Patrick Pleul/dpa via AP)
People view the northern lights, or aurora borealis, as they glow over Lake Washington, in Renton, Wash. Brilliant purple, green, yellow and pink hues of the Northern Lights were reported worldwide, with sightings in Germany, Switzerland, London, and the United States and Canada. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights, are seen in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns /The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A woman watches the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights on May 11, 2024 in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
The Northern lights fill the sky at the Bogus Basin ski resort on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Boise, Idaho. (Kyle Green (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A couple watch the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights on May 11, 2024 in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights are seen in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, May. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns /The Canadian Press via AP)
MANNING PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA – MAY 11: A photographer takes a picture of the aurora borealis, commonly known as the northern lights on May 11, 2024 in Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
The aurora borealis is visible above the bright San Francisco skyline early Saturday morning, May 11, 2024 (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
