GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH (G3-CLASS): Strong G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible during the early UT hours of March 31st when a Cannibal CME is expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. During such storms, naked-eye auroras can descend into the USA as far south as, e.g., Illinois and Oregon (geomagnetic latitude 50o). What is a "Cannibal CME"?
A CANNIBAL CME IS APPROACHING EARTH: Yesterday, March 28th, sunspot AR2975 unleashed a frenzy of solar flares--more than 17 in all. There were 11 C-class flares and 6 M-flares. At least two full-halo CMEs emerged from the chaos.
A NOAA computer model of these two CMEs suggests that they will merge into a single "Cannibal CME" before striking Earth's magnetic field around 0300 UT on March 31st.
This CME is a "cannibal" because it ate one of its own kind. Cannibal CMEs are fast coronal mass ejections that sweep up slower CMEs in front of them. The mish-mash contains tangled magnetic fields and compressed plasmas that can spark strong geomagnetic storms.
