In the coming days, Ukrainians will again feel the impact of strong magnetic storms. On April 23, geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to the red level - the K-indices will reach 6 and 5, respectively. This is already classified as a serious magnetic storm, which can affect not only people's well-being, but also communication.
On Thursday, April 24, the index will drop to 4 – this is an average level, but it can still affect people sensitive to weather.
Magnetic storms are caused by explosions on the Sun that send streams of charged particles toward Earth. When they reach our planet's magnetosphere, they cause oscillations - and that's what weather-dependent people experience.
The K-index is a conditional scale from 0 to 9 that shows the strength of the storm. Anything above 5 is already a red level and a signal for caution. During such storms, headaches, blood pressure spikes, insomnia, stress, apathy, and fatigue are possible.
How to prepare
There is no serious cure for magnetic storms, but there are simple tips:
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Reduce caffeine and alcohol, limit fatty and fried foods;
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Drink more water and soothing teas (mint, chamomile);
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Get enough sleep, don't overexert yourself physically;
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Avoid quarrels and conflicts – stress aggravates symptoms;
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Don't forget about your medications if you have chronic diseases;
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A contrast shower in the morning and a relaxing bath in the evening will help the body adapt.
On days with high K-indexes, disruptions in mobile communications, satellite navigation, and GPRS are also possible, and in some regions of the world, auroras are even observed.
What is forecast for the coming days:
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April 22 – K-index 6 (severe storm, red level);
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April 23 – K-index 5 (severe storm, red level);
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April 24 – K-index 4 (medium level, yellow signal).
The forecast is updated every three hours, so it is recommended to follow the operational messages on the official website of NOAA or the Ukrhydrometeorological Center.
