The British Geological Survey (BGS) explained that on Wednesday it updated its geomagnetic forecast to "the highest intensity level" due to "an ongoing solar storm that caused the aurora borealis" in the UK and beyond, including in Portugal.

The British Geological Survey also said that current forecasts suggest a second storm is on its way, fuelled by the first, and could result in the largest solar storm to hit planet Earth in over two decades.

Thus, "scientists believe the storm has the potential to reach the maximum level of G5 on the NOAA Space Weather Scales storm scale.

"Cannibal storm"

This second storm is nicknamed the "cannibal storm" and, according to the BGS, could "have even more significant impacts on space and ground technologies, including communication systems, global positioning systems (GPS), and satellite orbits."

"Geomagnetic storms are caused by the interaction of solar activity with the Earth's magnetic field, which has implications for energy infrastructure and navigation." Therefore, "they are listed as one of the main risks on the UK's National Hazard Register."

The British Geological Survey, however, cautioned that "like any forecast, it is not possible to say for sure what the exact magnitude of the storm will be." It explained that "solar storms travel from the Sun and can reach Earth in just 17 hours," but they can also take "significantly longer."

The BGS also reported that, "based on satellite observations, it predicts that this event will be significant."