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The May 2024 geomagnetic storm: UK experience and perspective

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Horne, R. B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0412-6407, Angling, M. J., Attrill, G. D. R., Beggan, C., Bisi, M. M., Cannon, P. S., Clarke, E., Dyer, C., Eastwood, J. P., Elvidge, S., Gibbs, D., Gibbs, M., Green, L. M., Hapgood, M. A., Hofton, M., Jackson, D. R., Jones, B., Machin, S., Mitchell, C. N., Morgan, H., Owens, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2061-2453, Preston, J., Rees, J., Routledge, G., Ryden, K. A., Sangha, H. K., Tanner, R. J., Wild, J. A. and Willis, M. J. (2026) The May 2024 geomagnetic storm: UK experience and perspective. Royal Society Open Science, 13 (4). 251943. ISSN 2054-5703 doi: 10.1098/rsos.251943

Abstract/Summary

Abstract The May 2024 geomagnetic storm was the largest for over 20 years. The storm was categorized as a ‘low-level’ G5, where G5 is the highest on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scale for geomagnetic storms, yet the individual solar eruptive events were not particularly severe, and the observed impacts were relatively minor. The impacts that were observed were due to the combined and sustained effect of five successive earthward-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which drove the storm. The event exposed the weakness of the current storm classification system which does not discriminate between low impact and high impact G5 events; it exercised the UK Met Office forecasting system, communications and UK preparedness; and it highlighted key areas that need to be addressed, particularly relating to national power supplies, space traffic management, aviation, forecasting and data gaps. Here, we set out what happened, record some of the key impacts, discuss what went well and what needs to be improved. We make 14 recommendations relevant to four government departments, so that the UK can be better prepared for a low-probability, high-impact space weather event described in the reasonable worst-case scenario that informs the national risk register.

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Item Type Article
URI https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/129654
Identification Number/DOI 10.1098/rsos.251943
Refereed Yes
Divisions Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
Publisher The Royal Society
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