A massive solar storm that hit Earth on Thursday could put even more strain on power grids as the US faces back-to-back major hurricanes, according to space weather forecasters.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Thursday that a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) fired from the Sun reached Earth around 11 a.m.

The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued multiple warnings and warnings for geomagnetic storm conditions, and on Thursday Earth experienced G4 conditions, or severe conditions.

NOAA said a severe geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field. The storms often vary in intensity between lower levels and severe storm conditions over the course of the event.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM EXPECTED TO HIT EARTH AFTER THE AUTUMN EQUINOX

This image, from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a solar flare, right, captured in the extreme ultraviolet light portion of the spectrum, colored in red and yellow. (NASA/SDO via AP)

Geomagnetic storms can affect the power grid, satellites and GPS technology.

“Storm conditions are expected to develop overnight as CME progression continues,” NOAA said on its website. “Variations due to CME passage will result in periods of weakening and escalation of geomagnetic storm levels.”

Earlier this week, NOAA issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning for Thursday through Friday after a solar outburst was detected. A geomagnetic storm has the potential to temporarily disrupt power and radio signals.

In preparation for the storm, NOAA has notified power plant operators and those operating spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM HIT EARTH CREATING NORTHERN LIGHTS AND DISRUPTING RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

A power transformer explodes, creating a background light as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Fort Myers, Florida, on Wednesday. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

NOAA has also notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of possible power outages as it deals with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Wednesday evening. as a Category 3 storm. packing winds up to 190 km/h.

Space weather forecasters don’t expect the latest solar storm to surpass the one that hit Earth in May, the strongest in more than two decades.

Florida is far enough south to avoid power outages from the solar surge unless it becomes much larger, scientist Rob Steenburgh of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

NORTHERN LIGHTS MAY BE SEEN OVER SOME PARTS OF US THIS WEEK AFTER ‘STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY’

NOAA has issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning after a coronal mass ejection blasted toward Earth earlier this week. (NOAA)

“That adds a little more to the comfort level,” says Steenburgh. “Why we’re here is to let them know so they can prepare.”

Experts are becoming more concerned about the potential impact on power grids in areas hit by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl said.

The storm could also bring the Northern Lights to the southern U.S., lower Midwest and Northern California, although exact locations and times are uncertain, according to NOAA. Sky watchers are reminded to point their smartphones upward for photos; the devices can often capture aurora that human eyes cannot.

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The May solar storm produced blinding auroras across the Northern Hemisphere and resulted in no major disruptions.

The sun is near the peak of its current 11-year cycle, creating all the recent solar activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.