(USA Today) -- A solar flare that launched off the sun Wednesday afternoon could wreak havoc with communications systems and power systems on the Earth, as well as with satellites in orbit, in coming days.

Forecasters with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center said the flare already "caused impacts to high-frequency radio communications on Earth today," according to NOAA. "A coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with this event is likely, but further analysis is necessary to determine whether it will produce geomagnetic storming on Earth."

MIAMI -- Tropical Storm Cristobal is expected to move northward away from the Bahamas but is forecast to stay away from the U.S. East Coast.

The storm's maximum sustained winds Monday morning increased to near 60 mph. The National Hurricane Center says gradual strengthening is expected and Cristobal could become a hurricane in the next few days.

As of 11 a.m. ET, Cristobal is centered about 120 miles east-northeast of San Salvador Island in the Bahamas and is moving north-northeast at 2 mph.

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert is in effect for Atlanta today.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division has issued the warning which means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Under Code Orange conditions the outdoor air is likely to be unhealthy for children, people who are sensitive to ozone and people with heart or lung disease.

You should limit outdoor activities during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone concentrations are highest.