Magnetic Storms: What Intensity to Expect and What Should Worry Us Most

From July 8 to 14, strong geomagnetic disturbances are not expected on Earth. Significant solar storms are also not anticipated. However, according to expert forecasts, we are at a turning point, and the major surprises from space weather are yet to come. NEWS.ru discusses why one should not ignore the recommendations of specialists and how to act properly to prevent magnetic storms from causing serious harm to health.

Last week was quite calm in terms of geomagnetic activity, said Anatoly Petrukovich, director of the Institute of Space Research at the Russian Academy of Sciences, to NEWS.ru. “Next week also promises to be stable. The number of sunspots on the visible side of the Sun is decreasing, so we do not expect significant magnetic storms,” the expert stated.

Petrukovich previously noted that as a result of the rotation of the solar disk, new spots are gradually appearing. The scientist speculated that the background of solar activity will slightly increase in the coming weeks, meaning that magnetic storms are becoming increasingly likely.

Olga Zelivianskaya, an associate professor at the Department of Oil and Gas Geophysics at North Caucasus Federal University, informed the media that we are living through a magnetic maximum and a peak of solar activity. “In this regard, July will be very active. Most likely, the peak of geomagnetic disturbance will occur in the middle of the month,” she noted.

She reminded that magnetic storms originate from eruptions on the Sun. “We can make predictions by observing groups of sunspots. When they start to merge, it serves as a signal for scientists that a large plasma eruption may be forthcoming. Consequently, powerful magnetic storms may occur on Earth in two to three days,” Zelivianskaya emphasized.

Researchers at the solar astronomy laboratory of IKI and ISEF confirmed that the upcoming week should be calm. A certain increase in geomagnetic activity may be registered during the next weekend.

Physicist Andrei Butov predicts that significant changes in geomagnetic activity are expected only on July 13-14. “I believe that from Monday to Friday we will not find any noticeable changes in space weather. However, there may be a breakthrough at the end of the week: solar activity will continue to rise, which will likely lead to a whole series of adverse geomagnetic phenomena,” the expert clarified.

He advised citizens to listen attentively to their bodies next week and not to ignore doctors' recommendations. Dmitry Viben, head of the Department of Stellar Physics and Evolution at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that eruptions on the sun do not have a significant impact on human health. According to him, if a meteorological-dependent person is warned that a magnetic storm will take place on a certain date, they might feel unwell that day. However, if they are not informed, their condition will not deteriorate.

Viben added that during magnetic storms, some citizens experience a “significant increase in the likelihood of cardiac exacerbations, but this gets lost against the backdrop of various stresses people encounter in life.”

Anastasia Akulova, head of the vascular surgery department at the Central Clinical Hospital “RZD-Medicine,” opined that “the impact of magnetic storms on human health has not been scientifically proven.” However, according to surveys she references, about 50-70% of the planet's population reacts to these natural phenomena. Akulova pointed out that during a magnetic storm, some blood parameters change, its viscosity increases, and gas exchange worsens.

“When an eruption occurs on the sun, the number of myocardial infarction cases rises, the frequency of lower limb venous thrombosis increases, and the risk of stroke development rises by up to 47%,” added Akulova.

Therapist Victoria Krasnova noted that on days of strong magnetic storms, many people “report a wide range of symptoms.” “People most often complain of increased or sharply decreased blood pressure, as well as a decrease in strength. It is during this period that various chronic diseases tend to worsen,” the expert emphasized.