When solar flares erupted from the sun last May, most Canadians went about their day unaware. But at the University of Saskatchewan, researchers were watching closely. The storm triggered vibrant auroras visible across Canada but also posed hidden risks to the power grid, satellites, and communications networks we rely on daily.
“Most people think of space weather as just the northern lights, but it’s much more consequential than pretty lights in the sky,” explains Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, who leads the SuperDARN Canada radar network at the University of Saskatchewan. “These solar events can disable satellites, disrupt GPS signals, and even cause widespread power outages if we’re not prepared.”
Saskatchewan has quietly become a global hub for space weather monitoring. Using an array of sophisticated radar systems scattered across the Canadian north, researchers track disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere – the protective magnetic bubble shielding us from the harshest solar radiation.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. We’re entering a period of heightened solar activity as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle, with more frequent and intense solar storms expected through 2025.
The stakes have never been higher. Unlike 20 years ago, today’s digital infrastructure faces unprecedented vulnerability to space weather. Everything from banking systems to air traffic control relies on GPS timing signals that can be corrupted during solar storms.
“Every time you use your bank card, that transaction depends on precise timing synchronized by GPS satellites,” says Dr. David Boteler from Natural Resources Canada. “Solar storms can introduce errors in that timing, potentially disrupting financial transactions across the country.”
The Canadian government takes these threats seriously, investing $15 million last year to enhance space weather prediction capabilities. The Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre now operates 24/7, monitoring for threats and issuing alerts when dangerous solar activity is detected.
For power companies like SaskPower, these warnings provide crucial preparation time. During severe geomagnetic storms, electrical currents can be induced in transmission lines, potentially overheating and damaging transformers. With adequate warning, operators can adjust power flows or implement protective measures.
“The 1989 Quebec blackout taught us hard lessons,” notes Jennifer Ferguson, a systems reliability engineer. “Nine million people lost power for nine hours when a solar storm collapsed the Hydro-Québec grid. Today’s power infrastructure is even more interconnected and potentially more vulnerable.”
The impacts extend beyond just keeping the lights on. Modern farming operations rely heavily on GPS for precision agriculture. When signals are compromised, automated equipment can drift off course.
“We noticed something was wrong when our tractors started reporting position errors during planting season last year,” says Mark Trudeau, who farms 5,000 acres near Regina. “It coincided with a solar event that knocked out accurate GPS positioning for nearly six hours. Twenty years ago, this wouldn’t have mattered, but today it can cost thousands in wasted seed and fuel.”
Saskatchewan’s research teams are pioneering new prediction techniques by combining ground-based observations with satellite data. This approach provides more comprehensive monitoring than ever before.
“We’re developing machine learning algorithms that can detect subtle patterns in the data days before a major solar event impacts Earth,” explains graduate researcher Samantha Choi. “It’s like weather forecasting, but for space, and with potentially higher stakes.”
The collaboration extends internationally. Canadian researchers share data with counterparts in the United States, Europe, and Japan, creating a global early warning network. This coordination proved vital during major solar events in 2017 and 2022, when timely alerts allowed satellite operators to place sensitive equipment in safe modes.
Space weather monitoring faces challenges beyond the technical. Public awareness remains low, and funding sometimes struggles to compete with more visible scientific priorities. Yet the potential economic impact of a severe solar storm is estimated between $2 billion and $20 billion in Canada alone, according to a 2023 analysis by the Conference Board of Canada.
“We’re essentially building an insurance policy,” says McWilliams. “The cost of monitoring and preparation is minimal compared to the potential damage of being caught unprepared.”
For ordinary Canadians, the most visible benefit of this work remains the spectacular aurora forecasts. Apps powered by this research now predict when and where northern lights will be visible with remarkable accuracy.
“I never understood why my phone would suddenly alert me about aurora visibility until I learned about the connection to space weather monitoring,” says Moose Jaw resident Carol Watson. “Now our family uses those alerts for night photography outings. It’s amazing to think the same science that protects power grids also helps us capture those incredible photos.”
As we become increasingly dependent on satellite technology for everything from navigation to climate monitoring, Saskatchewan’s space weather researchers find themselves on the front lines of an invisible but critical security challenge.
“People often ask why we study space weather in Saskatchewan, of all places,” McWilliams reflects. “The truth is our northern location gives us an ideal vantage point. The aurora oval – where space weather impacts are most visible and measurable – frequently passes directly overhead.”
With solar activity expected to peak in the coming months, these researchers will be watching carefully, helping ensure that when the next big solar storm arrives, Canada’s technological infrastructure stands ready.
