A solar storm is set to impact Earth's atmosphere on Monday, following a magnetic filament eruption from the sun's surface, as confirmed by NASA. The coronal mass ejection (CME) resulting from this eruption is expected to collide with Earth around 1 p.m. ET, according to models.

Measuring the strength of geomagnetic storms on a scale of G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), NOAA predicts that the upcoming solar storm will register as a G2, with a possibility of reaching G3. Consequently, a storm watch has been issued. While the general public need not be overly concerned, the moderate storm does have the potential to cause some technological disruptions upon impact.

NOAA warns that the collision between the CME and Earth's magnetosphere may lead to issues such as GPS disruptions, satellite malfunctions, power grid disturbances, and the unusual sighting of northern lights further south than usual.

CMEs, triggered by magnetic activity on the sun's surface, involve the expulsion of large volumes of solar plasma, also known as solar material. Space.com notes that these CMEs originate from sunspots, dark areas on the sun's surface where magnetic field lines create bursts of energy. Subsequently, enormous plumes of solar material can be propelled through space at incredible speeds, reaching millions of miles per hour.

When these ejected solar materials meet Earth's magnetic field, disturbances occur, resulting in what is known as a geomagnetic storm. As Monday approaches, scientists and researchers will closely monitor the effects of the impending solar storm on our planet's atmosphere.