A solar storm could be about to hit Earth, as material flows out of a hole in the Sun.

The G1 class storm could cause power grid failures, disrupt satellites and disrupt the migrations of animals, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Nonetheless, they are relatively minor – with much more dramatic effects possible during geomagnetic storms.

The organisation said that such conditions were “likely” on Wednesday, 3 August, as a result of a hole on our star.

Coronal holes appear as dark patches on images of the Sun when they are taken using ultraviolet and X-rays. They are cooler and less dense parts of our star, which means that the solar wind is more easily able to escape into space.

That means that fast streams of solar wind can be thrown out of the Sun – and may be directed towards Earth.

Read more: Independent