G3 – Strong Geomagnetic Storm Alert issued on March 22, 2026

A G3 – Strong Geomagnetic Storm Alert was issued on March 22, 2026 after the geomagnetic K-index reached 7 at 17:59 UTC. The alert was released by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center at 18:05 UTC and is currently ongoing, covering the synoptic period from 15:00 to 18:00 UTC.

Potential impacts from this storm primarily affect areas poleward of 50 degrees geomagnetic latitude. Power systems may experience voltage irregularities, and some protection devices could trigger false alarms. Spacecraft operations might be affected by surface charging as well as increased drag and possible orientation problems for satellites in low Earth orbit. Intermittent issues with satellite navigation, including GPS loss-of-lock and increased range error, may occur. HF radio communications may be intermittent. Additionally, the aurora could be visible as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon.

According to the official forecast issued by NOAA SWPC, the onset of this strong geomagnetic storm is attributed to waning effects from a coronal mass ejection (CME), followed by an anticipated increase in solar wind driven by a recurrent, negative polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). The geomagnetic field reached G3 – Strong levels late in the period after being mostly unsettled to G1 – Minor earlier on March 22, 2026.