[far sider]

Largest Solar Flare In 14 Years

So a bigger one happened in 1989. I don't remember that one. I doubt that I will remember this one either.

[WVNan]

You wouldn't happen to know whether or not this will affect my husband's defibrillator do you? I worry about that.

[berkeleybeej]

"This can damage utility-owned electrical equipment and cause widespread power blackouts like those that occurred in the 1980s in the Unites States and Canada. In March 1989, for example, 6 million people were left in the dark by a blackout in the Hydro Quebec system. What would happen if a slightly more severe event than the March 1989 storm caused a widespread blackout in the Northeast? U.S. officials estimate the potential economic damage at $3 billion to $6 billion."

I found this reference to the '89 flare via Google from something called "The Locomotive Engineer".

[staytrue]

It will also mean warmer weather. It heats up the atmosphere. Lower heating bills, hoorah.

[DallasMike]

So a bigger one happened in 1989. I don't remember that one.

I do -- I was in Quebec that winter/spring and it played havoc with the power grids.