Space Weather – Get prepared
Natural Resource's Canada's Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre monitors space weather activity and provides forecasts of conditions that may disrupt or damage these technologies. Space weather effects are usually forecast hours or even days in advance. Energy, communication, and transportation operators can get their space weather information from the Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre and this is the best source for the Canadian public as well.
How to prepare before space weather events
Prepare yourself for the possibility of the effects of space weather, including power outages or communications systems outages.
- Prepare your emergency kit. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away at no cost
- Make a household emergency plan. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
- Consider other communications options that you could use in the event that internet and cellphone service is not available
- Consider backup power options to charge the electronics you rely on
- Consider keeping copies of paper maps in your vehicle in the event satellite navigation systems are not operating
- If a major space weather event is forecast, fill vehicle with gas or charge it fully as gas pumps and charging may not work during power outages
- Learn more about how to prepare for power outages
- Check if your wireless phone is compatible with Alert Ready, Canada's emergency alerting system
During space weather events
Follow directions from emergency officials. Critical infrastructure operators may advise the public of service disruptions or required actions due to space weather. During a space weather event, you may also be instructed to disconnect your electrical appliances.