Space Disturbance Forecast Center

The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), part of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), forecasts conditions in space caused by the Sun that can impact Earth and technology. These conditions, known as space weather, can affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems.1

The Sun emits a stream of charged particles called the solar wind, which interacts with Earth's magnetic field, creating the magnetosphere. Disturbances in this interaction, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can lead to geomagnetic storms. These storms can disrupt radio communications, cause voltage surges in power lines, and affect satellite operations and navigation systems like GPS. Astronauts are also at risk from increased radiation during severe space weather events. The SWPC monitors the Sun and space environment using ground-based and satellite observations to provide timely forecasts.12