November 2025 solar storm caused GPS errors up to 10 meters across continental US
During the November 2025 solar superstorm, scientists discovered unprecedented ionospheric disturbances across the continental US that caused GPS errors of up to 10 meters (33 feet) in a wide band stretching coast-to-coast. This phenomenon, caused by density fluctuations in the atmosphere and amplitude scintillation of signals, had never been observed at such a scale in mid-latitudes before.
If GPS suddenly stops functioning or becomes unreliable, it could have fatal consequences for modern society's operations. It's likely time to explore alternative approaches, probably hybrid methods, for determining precise location on the planet.
How do solar storms affect GPS signals?
Solar storms release charged particles that rain down into the ionosphere, creating density fluctuations and irregularities in the atmosphere. These distortions cause radio signals traveling through the ionosphere to scatter and become distorted, a phenomenon called amplitude scintillation, which degraded GPS accuracy.
Why was the November 2025 disruption unprecedented?
The disturbance affected mid-latitudes, where ionospheric scintillation is generally rare. Strong amplitude scintillation stretched across the continental US from west to east, spanning roughly 80 to 120 degrees longitude, which scientists had never observed at this scale before in these regions.
What technologies were affected by these GPS errors?
Technologies requiring precise positioning, including autonomous vehicles and precision agriculture, are vulnerable to GPS errors. The May 2024 solar storm cost the US agricultural industry an estimated $500 million in losses due to navigation disruptions.
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- Endawoke Yizengaw
- The Aerospace Corporation
- Geophysical Research Letters
- GPS
- ionosféra