The Met Office runs a round-the-clock space weather forecasting team to monitor solar activity that could disrupt essential services on Earth, including GPS, power grids and satellites. It is working with researchers led by Aberystwyth University to improve warnings, which matter because severe events can affect infrastructure and cause major economic losses.

Space weather is largely caused by solar flares and other activity from the Sun, with the UK listing severe events on its National Risk Register. Scientists may spot an event about three days before it reaches Earth, but receive more precise data only around an hour beforehand; a 2025 Lloyd’s estimate put the potential global cost of a severe event at $2.4tn over five years. The Sun reached its activity peak in 2024, contributing to more visible Northern Lights, while advance warnings have helped operators limit disruption.