Active solar period

The sun's solar flare cycle has entered its active phase again and scientists say it's likely we will see some damage on Earth in the next 5 years because of it. Electrical grids are the most vulnerable to solar storms and widespread power outages are not uncommon (e.g., Quebec 1989). Satellites and aircraft are also affected by solar flares. Experts say it's unlikely, but if the Earth took a direct shot from the sun it could create a doomsday scenario that would knock out power around the globe. Banking, for instance, would come to a halt. Gas station pumps, elevators, ATM machines — anything that uses electricity would be affected. If transformers were fried, it would take at least 9 months to build new ones and get the grid back up again. Imagine the U.S. without electricity. Fortunately, if engineers have an early warning, the grids could (and would) be shut down as a preventive measure and then rebooted. Space weather is very closely monitored and there is usually enough lead time to prevent major outages. But if there is no warning, this could be a real-life disaster movie. Just thought you ought to know!

http://www.spaceweather.com/