Solar flare causes some Detroit flights to be re-routed

ROMULUS, Mich. (WXYZ) - The strongest solar storm in six years caused some Detroit flights to be re-routed this week.

A Delta spokesman said flights departing from Detroit to Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Inchon were directed to fly further south.

Solar flares and geomagnetic storms can cause disruptions in communications and satellite equipment, according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Re-routing flights is usually a precautionary measure.

The solar flare occurred around 11 p.m. Sunday, but radiation from the event will continue to affect Earth through Wednesday.

The FAA is keeping a close eye on how the solar flare could affect flights, but has not yet issued an alert.

You can check the status of your flight by clicking here .