Visualisation of K-index-based geomagnetic storm scenario over different locations in the USA

Abstract

Geomagnetic storms may introduce unbelievable damaging effects on power grid transmission, satellite communication, RF communication and on various other important electrical and electromagnetic systems. Not only that, these storms may impart serious health hazards to the inhabitants of the biosphere too. Realising these facts, the K-index data obtained from the US Department of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center, for the time period started from 1994 to 2014 (21 years), are analysed statistically to visualise month-to-month and year-to-year variation in the percentage occurrences of ten different geomagnetic conditions (classification based on ten different values of K-index) over Fredericksburg (38.2047°N, 77.3729°W), College (64.8742°N, 147.8597°W) and Estimated Planetary in the USA. The obtained result focuses the variation in degree of sensitivity of these locations for the occurrence of different kinds of geomagnetic storms. Various useful information emerged out from this article find application in civil aviation, navigation, communication, power grid transmission and related fields.