magnetic storm

American  

noun

1. a temporary disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, induced by radiation and streams of charged particles from the sun.

---

magnetic storm British  

noun

1. a sudden severe disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, caused by emission of charged particles from the sun

---

magnetic storm Scientific  

1. A disturbance or fluctuation in the Earth's outer magnetosphere, usually caused by streams of charged particles (plasma) given off by solar flares. The entry of large amounts of plasma into the upper atmosphere results in intense auroral displays and other magnetic phenomena in the polar regions of the Earth.

2. See also aurora

---

magnetic storm Cultural  

1. The effect on the ionosphere of large bursts of charged particles (see electrical charge) from the sun.

---

Discover More

During a magnetic storm, radio reception can become very difficult.

Etymology

Origin of magnetic storm

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Colorful auroras appeared around Japan's Honshu and Hokkaido islands on May 11, 2024, sparked by an intense magnetic storm.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2024

NBC, CBS, MBS constantly carried crisis news in spite of a magnetic storm which marred short-wave reception for three days and a hurricane which broke power and communication lines, flooded transmitters.

From Time Magazine Archive

It all reflected, said Dr. A. G. McNish, authority on the earth's magnetism, in Washington last week for a meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the worst magnetic storm in a century.

From Time Magazine Archive

Striking the upper levels of the earth's atmosphere, they excited oxygen and nitrogen atoms into luminescence, also set off a magnetic storm.

From Time Magazine Archive

This magnetic storm affected every telegraphic station in the kingdom.

From The Story of the Atlantic Telegraph by Field, Henry M. (Henry Martyn)