First 'severe geomagnetic storm' in nearly 20 years hits Earth

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a severe geomagnetic storm warning for Friday evening, marking the first such alert in nearly two decades. "We're monitoring the Sun following a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections that began on May 8," NOAA said. "Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm...to persist through the weekend," it added.