Unexpected Solar Wind Stream Hits Earth at 372 Miles Per Second

The Earth's magnetic field was hit by a solar wind stream that reached speeds of more than 600 kilometers per second.

What is weird is that this storm was completely unforeseen.

The result of this event was a surprise, according to SpaceWeather.

Solar wind happens when the Sun's gravity is no longer able to hold back a stream of highly charged particles.

Large bright patches on the Sun known as 'coronal holes' are thought to be the source of the emissions we don't know about.

They're able to create space weather 'forecasts' that not only predict when solar storms or solar flares will occur, but how powerful they will be.

We were surprised over the weekend.

Light solar wind streams were noticed by NASA's Deep Space Climate Observatory early on Sunday.

SpaceWeather theorizes that the solar storm may have been caused by the early arrival of solar wind in the Sun's atmosphere.

It could have been a missedCME.

There was a discontinuity in solar wind data on August 7.

It is easy to overlook faint CMEs heading for Earth because of the active sun.

Records show the solar wind is hitting Earth's magnetic field at an average speed of 551.3 kilometers per second.

Our planet's atmosphere protects us from solar wind, which isn't harmful to us here on earth.

It can cause issues with satellites and power grids when it's strong.

The winds were categorized as a moderate G2 solar storm, which is the lowest end of the scale, and a powerful solar storm, which is the highest end.

According to Space Weather, G2 storms can affect power systems in high latitudes.

We have seen a lot of solar storms this year and the Sun is currently in the active phase of its 11-year solar cycle.

We've already been hit by flares and giant holes that are 2.5 times the size of Earth. You wouldn't know this was happening most of the time.

Unless you are an avid watcher of the Aurora.

Fortunately, followers of the Space Weather Alert Service were notified about the unforecast storm and were able to make it out to see the powerfulAuroras and Steve, which were seen as far south as Pennsylvania.

Ruslan Merzlyakov told Space Weather that he was already in bed when the storm started.

I was able to take a picture of the first summer Auroras in 5 years.

We don't know what the rest of the week will bring.