Solar Storm Reaches Level 3: Impacts and Outlook for Africa

Date: November 6, 2025

A significant Level 3 (G3) Strong geomagnetic storm is forecasted to impact Earth, driven by a combination of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and high-speed solar wind from a coronal hole . This event has the potential to disrupt critical technological systems across the African continent, while also offering a chance to witness the spectacular Southern Lights.

The sun has been exceptionally active. This follows a Severe G4 geomagnetic storm that impacted Earth in early June 2025, which was triggered by a CME in combination with a high-speed stream from a large coronal hole . More recently, on November 4 and 5, 2025, the sun unleashed two powerful X-class solar flares from different regions, though their associated CMEs were not fully Earth-directed .

What a G3 Solar Storm Means for Africa

Geomagnetic storms are rated on a G-scale from G1 (Minor) to G5 (Extreme). A G3 (Strong) storm can have several noticeable effects:

· Disruptions to Navigation and Communications: The storm can cause radio blackouts and degrade the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) . This can affect aviation, maritime navigation, and other industries that rely on precise positioning and high-frequency radio.

· Power Grid Fluctuations: These storms can induce currents in power lines, which may lead to voltage irregularities and trigger false alarms on protection systems .

· Aurora Australis (Southern Lights): One of the most beautiful side effects is the enhancement of the aurora. During strong storms, there is a heightened possibility of the Southern Lights being visible from southern latitudes in Africa, though sightings are still relatively rare .

A Continent at the Forefront of Space Weather Monitoring

African nations are proactively working to understand and mitigate the risks of space weather. The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) operates a 24/7 Space Weather Centre in Hermanus, which is the only accredited space weather centre on the continent . It provides crucial monitoring and forecasting services for the entire African region.

The table below summarizes the potential impacts of a G3 storm and the related protective measures.

Potential Impact Affected Sectors Mitigation & Monitoring in Africa

Radio Blackouts (R1-R3)  Aviation, Maritime, Emergency Services Advisories issued by regional space weather centers .

GNSS Degradation  Aviation, Shipping, Surveying, Agriculture Monitoring of Total Electron Content (TEC) over Africa .

Power Grid Fluctuations  National Power Grids Grid operators alerted to space weather conditions.

Aurora Australis  — Rare sightings possible at mid-latitudes; no reports over South Africa during the recent G4 storm .

International cooperation is also strengthening Africa’s role in space weather science. A United Nations/Nigeria workshop focused on the International Space Weather Initiative is scheduled for October 2025 in Abuja. This event will aim to improve the collection and exchange of space weather data and enhance operational forecasting methods, contributing directly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) .

Looking Ahead: A Period of High Solar Activity

The sun is currently near the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, which means heightened solar activity is expected to continue . This underscores the importance of reliable space weather monitoring and preparedness.

Stakeholders in aviation, power distribution, and telecommunications across Africa are encouraged to stay informed through official channels like the SANSA Space Weather Centre . As we navigate this period of increased solar activity, the continued development of regional forecasting capabilities is vital for protecting the continent’s technological infrastructure and economic interests.

This solar weather report is based on forecasts from the SANSA Space Weather Centre and international space weather monitoring agencies. For real-time updates, visit spaceweather.sansa.org.za