MICHAEL WALSH PICK OF THE WEEK. A plasma cloud will hit Earth tomorrow at midday. A strong magnetic storm of G4 magnitude will hit the Earth on Tuesday.

Astronomers warn that a powerful G4 magnetic storm will hit Earth on January 20. It was caused by a high-class solar flare that ejected two large prominences into space.

The peak of geomagnetic disturbances will occur at 10:00 AM Europe time. On the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, astronomers expect exceptionally strong auroras across the western hemisphere.

The Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported this. The Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences also reported it.

The storm was caused by an X1.95 solar flare that occurred on the Sun the previous evening. This highest-level X-class flare is the first of 2026 and the largest in the past two months.

‘A plasma cloud from the Sun will strike Earth tomorrow midday. Yesterday’s early data from the CCOR-1 coronagraph were confirmed today by the world’s leading solar coronagraph, LASCO: the X1.95 flare was accompanied by a large plasma ejection, aimed directly at Earth,’ the scientists report.

According to their data, the explosion was quite large. It involved the entire central region of the Sun, approximately 500,000 km in size. The flare resulted in complete or partial destruction, with the simultaneous ejection of two large prominences into space.

The impact on Earth will be accompanied by strong geomagnetic disturbances of up to G4 level. The probability of magnetic storms of the highest level, G5, is approximately 10%,’ the astronomers reveal.

According to their forecasts, exceptionally strong auroras are expected on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Signs of these auroras will likely be visible across almost the entire territory of Russia. They will also be visible in Northern Europe.

Impact on humans and recommendations of doctors

During periods of geomagnetic disturbances, people can often experience a deterioration in their health. Alexey Abyzov, a physician said about the impact of magnetic storms on the human body.

‘It has been found that some people may experience a deterioration in their condition during exposure.

Common symptoms include headaches and fatigue. Healthy individuals may also experience increased irritability, anxiety, apathy, and decreased performance,’ the expert notes.

At the same time, patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, may experience increased blood pressure.

People with bronchopulmonary diseases, including asthmatics, may experience an exacerbation of symptoms, particularly shortness of breath.

Those with musculoskeletal conditions or chronic pain syndromes may experience increased intensity of pain. The duration of pain may also increase. For example, this can occur in joints due to changes in weather conditions.

In addition, during a magnetic storm, some people may experience sleep disturbances and insomnia.

‘The effects of magnetic storms manifest themselves in different ways. To cope better during their active period, discuss individual recommendations with your doctor. Do this in advance,’ the physician advises.

Specialists emphasized general preventative measures that help enhance the body’s adaptive capacity. These include maintaining physical activity and exercise, eating a balanced and varied diet, avoiding unhealthy habits, and getting healthy sleep.

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