The British Geological Survey (BGS) has now upgraded its alert to the highest possible level and said the ongoing storm is already affecting communications and satellite navigation. It added that a second geomagnetic "cannibal storm", feeding off the first, would begin impacting the UK by Wednesday afternoon. What causes a solar storm? Explaining what causes a solar storm, the BGS states: "Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar activity interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field, which has implications for national energy infrastructure and navigation." Discussing the current storm, it added: "Solar storms travel from the Sun and can reach Earth in as little as 17 hours, although they can also take significantly longer.

Source: The Times November 12, 2025 16:17 UTC