Could a solar storm cut the UK's power? What the National Risk Register says

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It could, in some areas, but it is a planning scenario, not a prediction. The National Risk Register 2026 plans for a storm on the scale of the 1859 Carrington event, scores its likelihood 4 out of 5 (5 to 25% over 5 years) and its impact 4 out of 5 (significant). It could cause regional power cuts and disrupt GPS, satellites and some radio. The Met Office forecasts space weather around the clock. At home, prepare as you would for any long power cut.

What is space weather?

The Met Office says space weather describes conditions in space that can affect Earth. It is driven by particles, energy and magnetic fields from the Sun, not by air and water like our usual weather. The most visible sign is the Northern Lights.

The National Risk Register 2026 explains that space weather includes solar flares, solar energetic particles and coronal mass ejections (large clouds of material thrown out by the Sun). It says day-to-day space weather causes little more than the Northern Lights, but strong events can disrupt many important technologies. Satellites are especially at risk.

What does the National Risk Register say about solar storms?

The National Risk Register is the government's public list of the most serious risks the UK could face. The 2026 edition was published on GOV.UK on 14 July 2026. Each risk is a "reasonable worst-case scenario": the worst plausible version, used so that planners can prepare in proportion. It is not a forecast.

For severe space weather, the register says:

The register says the effects would be global, but how bad they are depends on latitude, how much services rely on space, and how resilient infrastructure is. During a long repair, it says mobile back-up generators would be needed in some areas.

The Met Office says solar storms were first added to the register in 2011. So this is not new, and it has been planned for over many years.

Who would be most affected?

The register says vulnerable people would likely be hit hardest by a local loss of power, especially:

• people who use medical equipment at home
• people who need support at home, such as home visits
• older people, young children and disabled people, if a power cut means losing heating, water, transport and communications

If this is you or someone you care for, join the Priority Services Register. GOV.UK Be Ready says it is a free service for people with additional needs. See our Priority Services Register guide.

Who forecasts solar storms in the UK?

The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC). The Met Office says it is one of a few centres in the world that forecast space weather 24 hours a day. It gives forecasts and warnings to government, emergency responders, infrastructure operators and the public.

A Met Office article from January 2026 explains the warning time:

• Coronal mass ejections usually take one to several days to reach Earth, which gives some notice.
• Solar flare radiation arrives in about eight and a half minutes, so its effects can come with little warning.

The same article says the Met Office helps organisations protect sensitive equipment, adjust flight routes and watch power systems. These are the people who act on space weather warnings, not households.

Is there anything I can buy to protect my home from a solar storm?

No. No gadget protects a home from a solar storm, and we don't recommend "EMP" shields or similar products. The risk to homes is the same as in any long power cut, so the same simple kit covers it.

What should I do at home to prepare?

The steps are the same as for any long power cut. GOV.UK Be Ready suggests:

• Torch and spare batteries (torches are safer than candles)
• FM radio, battery or wind-up, with your local station frequencies written down
• Charged power bank for phones or compatible medical devices
• Cash, a mix of coins and notes, plus cards
• Bottled water for 3 days: 3 litres per person per day for drinking
• Non-perishable food for 3 days
• Essential medicines and medical supplies
• Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing
• Important phone numbers on paper
• A plan to check on neighbours, especially if the power goes out

Because the register says GPS could be disrupted, it also helps to know your local routes and keep important numbers written down rather than only in your phone.

For the first steps when the lights go out, see what to do in the first 10 minutes of a power cut. Be Ready says report a power cut free on 105 in England, Wales and Scotland.

Do I need a power station or a special radio?

Not for most homes. A charged power bank and a battery FM radio cover the basics. If someone needs to run a medical device or a fridge for longer, our power station size guide helps you work out what you'd need. For radios, see how to choose a wind-up or solar radio. For a longer outage of any cause, our long blackout guide goes further.

General information, not professional advice. The National Risk Register is a planning tool, not a prediction. Follow official instructions and call 999 in an emergency.

Related guides

• Long blackout or cyber attack: keeping your household going
• Power cut kit: what to keep in one box, and how long power cuts last
• Priority Services Register: a plain guide

Free tools

• Power bank and power station runtime calculator
• Ready check

We're an independent UK site, not the government. We check guides against official sources and link to them. In an emergency call 999.

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