Image for representation
A recent surge in temperatures across Maharashtra has sparked concerns, with scientific analysis attributing the phenomenon to ‘temperature eddies’, says former meteorologist Prof Kiran Kumar Johare of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, government of India.
Professor Johare’s scientific assessment has identified solar flares and disturbances in the magnetosphere as the underlying causes for this sudden spike in temperatures. The consequences of this event are palpable, with the mercury soaring to 42 degrees Celsius in the lush green surroundings of Koregaon Park in Pune. Similarly, temperatures have soared to 43.1 degrees Celsius in Solapur, and from 42 to 44 degrees Celsius in other regions including Sangli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, and Washim.
The experts are indicating a potential rise in temperatures from 48 to 54 degrees Celsius in the coming months, affecting not only Maharashtra, but also various parts of the country.
Johare emphasised the importance of alertness, public awareness, caution, and the prompt deployment of medical teams to address the sudden surge in mortality rates attributed to sunstroke resulting from the rising temperatures.
He provided a clarification regarding the abrupt temperature escalation, citing various occurrences in the solar system and their impacts on space and the Earth’s atmosphere.
Solar flares
He elaborated, “Solar flares are sudden eruptions or sprays of intense energy and radiation from the surface of the Sun. A powerful eruption of 1.1 magnitude X-class solar flare occurred on March 23, 2024 at 7.01 am IST.”
Illustrating the magnitude, he added, “The explosions of solar flares release enough energy to detonate millions of hydrogen bombs simultaneously. Solar flares are often associated with sunspots, which are dark areas on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic storms.”
Detailing their emissions, he stated, “Solar smoke emits X-rays and ultraviolet rays, as well as various types of electromagnetic radiation, and based on their strength, solar smoke is classified into C, M, and X types. Solar flares are classified based on their energy and intensity, particularly the X-rays known as solar flares.”
He elaborated on the classification system, saying, “The classification system is based on X-ray peak flexures measured in the energy range of one to eight angstroms, with X-type solar clouds being more energetic than M-type solar clouds. C-type solar smoke is weaker and less powerful than M-type solar smoke.”
X-rays – a threat
X-rays, the most intense and energetic solar flares, possess significant implications for Earth’s environment and space technology. These flares can induce long-lasting radiation storms in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, potentially leading to radio blackouts. Moreover, they pose a threat to artificial satellites and spacecraft in orbit, risking disruption or damage. Furthermore, astronauts operating beyond Earth’s protective atmosphere face heightened risks due to exposure to X-ray radiation.
Similarly, M-class solar flares, categorised as medium-sized, also exert notable effects. They have the potential to cause brief radio blackouts, particularly at the poles. Moreover, their radiation storms present hazards to astronauts in space, particularly during spacewalks or when outside the protective confines of spacecraft shields.
Geomagnetic storms
Explaining the relationship between the solar nebula and Earth’s magnetosphere, Johare stated, “When the solar nebula erupts, it unleashes a barrage of charged particles known as solar storms.” These charged particles travel towards Earth and interact with our planet’s magnetic field, which governs the region surrounding Earth. This interaction between solar storms and the magnetosphere can lead to geomagnetic storms, which have the potential to disrupt power grids, satellite communications, and navigation systems.
Temperature rise due to solar smoke
Explaining the mechanism behind the sudden temperature rise on Earth due to explosive solar activity, Johare elaborated, “Due to the explosive solar smoke on the Sun, magnetic energy stored in the Sun’s atmosphere is suddenly released in a process called magnetic reconnection.” This release of energy rapidly heats the Sun’s atmosphere, resulting in a remarkable phenomenon where temperature increases rather than decreases as one moves away from the Sun.
He continued, “Interestingly, the temperature in the affected area can rise to millions of degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds.” This intense heat energises the atoms in the Sun’s atmosphere, leading to the emission of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Johare added, “Solar smoke explosions often have profound effects on Earth’s temperature.” These effects manifest abruptly on both local and global scales due to geographical conditions and solar activity. These effects, known as ‘temperature eddies’, can cause sudden temperature increases even in colder regions for short periods.
Finally, he noted, “Solar smoke from the Sun can indirectly increase Earth’s temperature through four mechanisms.
