Space Weather
Space Weather
Space weather describes changing environmental conditions in near-Earth space. Magnetic fields, radiation, particles and matter, which have been ejected from the Sun, can interact with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and surrounding magnetic field to produce a variety of effects.
Space weather notifications
There are currently no active notifications.
Aurora forecasts
Northern Hemisphere
The auroral oval is expected to remain at or near Background levels over the next few days. A coronal hole fast wind is anticipated to arrive later on 17 April, bringing an increased chance of enhanced auroral activity into the coming weekend.
Southern Hemisphere
The auroral oval is expected to remain at or near background levels over the next few days. A coronal hole fast wind is anticipated to arrive either late 17, or more likely on 18 April bringing an increased chance of enhanced auroral activity this weekend.
Issued at:
Forecast overview
Space Weather Forecast Headline: Chance of peak G3/Kp7 Geomagnetic activity on Day 4 (18 Apr).
Analysis of Space Weather Activity over past 24 hours
Solar Activity: Solar activity was Very Low.
There are three sunspot regions on the visible disc. Small regions in the south-centre disc and northwest disc underwent decay with limited flaring during the period. A newer region in the northeast continued to emerge with the development of numerous intermediate spots of mixed polarity. Despite developing a moderately complex magnetic configuration, no significant flares were observed. A region located near centre disc in the southern hemisphere decayed.
Although occasional Coronal Mass Ejection were in evidence in coronagraph imagery, none were identified as having any Earth-directed component.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: The solar wind reduced from Slightly Elevated to Background levels. Total Interplanetary Magnetic Field was Weak, with the north-south component also Weak and variable in direction. Geomagnetic activity was Quiet (Kp 0-1).
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: The count rate of energetic particles (high energy protons) is at Background with no solar radiation storms observed.
Four-Day Space Weather Forecast Summary
Solar Activity: Activity is expected to be Low to Very Low, with a slight chance of isolated Moderate class flares.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: There are currently no Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in the forecast. Solar winds are at Background levels and expected to remain similar through Days 1-3 (15-17 Apr), although with weak enhancements (to Slightly Elevated speeds) possible due to a mid-latitude, southern hemispheric coronal hole that could temporarily become geo-effective. A significant enhancement in solar wind speeds and geomagnetic activity is expected Day 4 (18 Apr) due to a large, recurrent coronal hole.
Geomagnetic activity is forecast to be mostly Quiet between Days 1 and 3 (15 to 17 Apr) with a chance of Unsettled intervals related to possible coronal hole activity. On Day 4 (17 Apr) activity is expected to increase due to the onset of a large coronal hole, with peak G1-G2/Kp5-6 activity expected and a chance of G3/Kp7 intervals occurring.
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: The count rate of energetic particles (high energy protons) is forecast to persist at Background levels with no solar radiation storms expected.
Issued at:
Solar imagery
SDO AIA-193
This channel highlights the outer atmosphere of the Sun - called the corona - as well as hot flare plasma. Hot active regions, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections will appear bright here. The dark areas - called coronal holes - are places where very little radiation is emitted, yet are the main source of solar wind particles.
Issued at:
SDO AIA-304
This channel is especially good at showing areas where cooler dense plumes of plasma (filaments and prominences) are located above the visible surface of the Sun. Many of these features either can't be seen or appear as dark lines in the other channels. The bright areas show places where the plasma has a high density.
Issued at: