Ciencia 17 January 2026

Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm

Severe solar storm alert: NASA tracks CME as NOAA upgrades G4 geomagnetic storm

A severe G4 geomagnetic storm struck early Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection from a Jan. 18 X-class solar flare, NOAA said. A rare S4 solar radiation storm is also underway, raising risks for polar flights, satellites, and astronauts. The geomagnetic storm first reached G4 on Monday afternoon and peaked again overnight. NASA reported gaps in SOHO data but confirmed the event with other instruments.
January 20, 2026
NOAA weather drones: A new pilot aims to fix a key U.S. forecast blind spot

NOAA weather drones: A new pilot aims to fix a key U.S. forecast blind spot

NOAA will begin using weather-drone data from Meteomatics in National Weather Service forecasts, starting with flights from a remote base in Oklahoma. The drones will collect wind, humidity, and temperature data in the lower atmosphere, with information delivered through KBR and Synoptic Data. The program aims to address gaps in monitoring between 50 and 20,000 feet above ground.
January 17, 2026