These effects can include interruptions to radio communications and GPS, disruption of power grids, and damage to spacecraft. The impacts are caused by magnetic fields, radiation, particles and matter which have left the surface of the sun and interacted with the Earth's upper atmosphere and magnetic field.

The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) provides critical information to help build the resilience of UK infrastructure and impacted industries in the face of space weather events.

For space weather news and updates, follow us on Twitter at @MetOfficeSpace