• New research by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF-NCAR) has developed a new tool providing a first step toward the ability to forecast space weather weeks in advance, instead of just hours. • This advance warning could allow agencies and industries to mitigate impacts to GPS, power grids, astronaut safety and more.
Article Summaries:
- Researchers at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF‑NCAR) have created an AI tool that monitors solar active regions to forecast space weather weeks in advance, rather than the current practice of predicting only hours ahead. The system analyzes solar data to identify patterns that precede geomagnetic storms, offering earlier warnings that could help agencies and industries prepare for potential disruptions to GPS navigation, power grids, satellite operations, and astronaut safety. While still in early stages, the tool represents a significant step toward longer‑lead space‑weather forecasting.
Sources: