What is space weather?
Space weather describes changing conditions in the near-Earth space environment. Space weather is a consequence of the Sun’s behaviour, the nature of the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, and our location in the solar system. Magnetic fields, radiation, particles, and matter that are ejected from the sun can interact with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and surrounding magnetic field to produce a variety of effects.
Day-to-day space weather, much like terrestrial (Earth) weather, most often occurs with no tangible disruptive impacts. The most recognisable and visible space weather effect is arguably the auroras (Northern and Southern Lights). However, as well as these spectacular natural phenomena, space weather also represents a risk and can have an impact upon national infrastructure, technology, and communications systems.
In the event of a significant space weather event the impacts would be global, and impacts are likely to include damage or disruption to orbiting satellites which are particularly vulnerable to space weather along with potential damage to national infrastructure such as the National Electricity Transmission System and communication systems.
Local Risk Rating
Very High
What does the Local Resilience Forum do to prepare?
In 2011 space weather was identified as a formal risk and added to the National Risk Register meaning Local Resilience Forum areas are required to locally risk assess the risk and plan accordingly. Space weather cannot be prevented, though the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) provides critical information on severe space weather events there is still limited preventative measures that can be implemented.
Associated Risks
The most likely impacts of space weather are:
- Failure of the National Electricity Transmission System (NETS)
- Regional failure of the electricity network
- Simultaneous loss of all fixed and mobile forms of communication
- Loss of Positioning Navigation Timing (PNT) services
- Disruption of space-based services
How can you prepare?
Severe space weather could impact global positioning satellite (GPS) use and could impact electricity and communications.
You can consider alternatives to GPS in your everyday life as a contingency measure and have plans for electricity and / or communications issues. Though these are covered in more detail in the specific risks related to these areas.
