Just reading the Telegraph website, on 1 August an explosion happened on the Sun resulting in an extremely strong CME heading in Earth's direction. NASA have warned Britain (Guessing this would effect here too though) of possible blackouts and long periods without communications. Damage to satellites is expected and grids around the world could be too.

There is an upside though. This will result in Northern Lights being visible as far as the northern US, Britain and Ireland.

SWEET

Nasa scientists braced for 'solar tsunami' to hit earthThe earth could be hit by a wave of violent space weather as early as Tuesday after a massive explosion of the sun, scientists have warned.

By Andrew Hough

Published: 9:00PM BST 02 Aug 2010

Sunspot 1092 may combine with a large filament of cool gas stretching across the sun's northern hemisphere to produce interference with communication systems on Earth Photo: NASA

The solar fireworks at the weekend were recorded by several satellites, including Nasa’s new Solar Dynamics Observatory which watched its shock wave rippling outwards.

Astronomers from all over the world witnessed the huge flare above a giant sunspot the size of the Earth, which they linked to an even larger eruption across the surface of Sun.

The explosion was aimed directly towards Earth, which then sent a “solar tsunami” racing 93 million miles across space.

Images from the SDO hint at a shock wave travelling from the flare into space, the New Scientist reported.

Experts said the wave of supercharged gas will likely reach the Earth on Tuesday, when it will buffet the natural magnetic shield protecting Earth.

It is likely to spark spectacular displays of the aurora or northern and southern lights.

Scientists have warned that a really big solar eruption could destroy satellites and wreck power and communications grids around the globe if it happened today.

Nasa recently warned that Britain could face widespread power blackouts and be left without critical communication signals for long periods of time, after the earth is hit by a once-in-a-generation “space storm”.

The Daily Telegraph disclosed in June that senior space agency scientists believed the Earth will be hit with unprecedented levels of magnetic energy from solar flares after the Sun wakes “from a deep slumber” sometime around 2013.

It remains unclear, however, how much damage this latest eruption will cause the world’s communication tools.

Dr Lucie Green, of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Surrey, followed the flare-ups using Japan's orbiting Hinode telescope.

"What wonderful fireworks the Sun has been producing,” the UK solar expert said.

“This was a very rare event – not one, but two almost simultaneous eruptions from different locations on the sun were launched toward the Earth.

"These eruptions occur when immense magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere lose their stability and can no longer be held down by the Sun's huge gravitational pull. Just like a coiled spring suddenly being released, they erupt into space.”

She added: "It looks like the first eruption was so large that it changed the magnetic fields throughout half the Sun's visible atmosphere and provided the right conditions for the second eruption.

"Both eruptions could be Earth-directed but may be travelling at different speeds.

“This means we have a very good chance of seeing major and prolonged effects, such as the northern lights at low latitudes."

Wow, not looking forward to the possible blackout but im really hoping those northern lights come down as far as New York, would be really cool to see that.

I'm eager to see what actually does end up happening

This.Is.Amazing.

Just hoping there's no radical spikes or surges. Debating on if I should unplug my electronics tonight.

Anyone know a specific time it will hit?

Video of the shockwave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc6TiRke50o

This possibility has been talked about for while now. A lot of scientists are saying that the sun naturally goes through cycles of relative inactivity, and cycles of violent explosions and solar storms. We've just never had anything that would be affected by it when it's happened in the past, so no one's really sure what will happen. Could be crying wolf.

From what I've read, the predicted solar storms that may occur in 2013, will make this look mild.

The last time something of that magnitude happened, was in 1859, when the only effect on us was that it played havoc with the telegraph system, and a pretty awesome display of the auroras. I'm very interested to see what this most recent activity will have on our planet.

Nothing so far here...its daylight though so won't be expecting to see auroras.

Doesn't look like it's going to do much considering we're being hit with it as we speak. Probably a little satellite damage that average joe won't notice