GPS Interference and Jamming --- Natural Sources

Since GPS signals at terrestrial receivers tend to be relatively weak, it is easy for other sources of electromagnetic radiation to desensitize the receiver, making acquiring and tracking the satellite signals difficult or impossible.

Solar flares are one such naturally occurring emission with the potential to degrade GPS reception, and their impact can affect reception over the half of the Earth facing the sun. GPS signals can also be interfered with by naturally occurring geomagnetic storms, predominantly found near the poles of the Earth's magnetic field. GPS signals are also subjected to interference from Van Allen Belt radiation when satellites pass through the South Atlantic Anomaly. Another source of problems is the metal embedded in some car windscreens to prevent icing, degrading reception just inside the car.