Ion storm

An ion storm is a type of magnetic storm that is composed of ionically charged particles. Ion storms can either be planetary or spaceborne, and at a high intensity can provice a hazard to navigation, and the use of transporter technology is impossible.

The area surrounding the Romulan Neutral Zone in the Beta Quadrant has seen the greatest amount of ion storms charted throughout the 23rd and 24th centuries. On some occassions, storm activity has been so strong, that it has resulted in shifting boundaries of the zone. In 2269, the storm activity was so strong that the planet Arachnae was pulled from the zone into Romulan territory. (TOS novel: Vulcan!).