Viewing archive of Sunday, 18 January 2004

Solar activity report

Any mentioned solar flare in this report has a scaling factor applied by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Because of the SWPC scaling factor, solar flares are reported as 42% smaller than for the science quality data. The scaling factor has been removed from our archived solar flare data to reflect the true physical units.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2004 Jan 18 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 018 Issued at 2200Z on 18 Jan 2004

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z

Solar activity was moderate. Region 540 (S14E02) produced an M1/1n flare at 18/0017Z. Moderate to strong radio bursts accompanied this flare including a 190 sfu Tenflare and a large 23,000 sfu burst on 245 MHz. A Type II radio sweep was also observed with a shock speed of near 1000 km/s. This beta-gamma spot group has not changed much over the past 48 hours, although some new growth was noted in the trailer spots. Region 537 (N04W83) was quite active this period as it approached the west limb. It produced occasional C-class activity including a C3 flare and CME at 18/2003Z. Remaining regions were stable.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate. Moderately complex Region 540 has potential for isolated M-class flares. Further C-class activity is expected from Region 537 on the west limb.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z
The geomagnetic field was quiet to active. A coronal hole high speed stream continues with solar wind speed ranging from 520 to 620 km/s. The IMF Bz was predominantly northward; however, periods of southward Bz occurred inciting the occasional active periods. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels again today.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to minor storming over the next three days. The high speed solar wind stream in progress now is expected to persist through 19 January and produce occasional active periods. The M5 flare that occurred on 17 January did produce a CME, but LASCO imagery shows that most of the ejecta is southward directed. Some weak impacts are expected on 20 January from this CME, but the disturbance should be limited to occasional active periods with isolated high latitude minor storming. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on 21 January with isolated active periods possible.
III. Event Probabilities 19 Jan to 21 Jan
Class M01%01%01%
Class X01%01%01%
Proton01%01%01%
PCAFGreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       18 Jan 120
  Predicted   19 Jan-21 Jan  120/115/115
  90 Day Mean        18 Jan 138
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 17 Jan  009/014
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 18 Jan  012/016
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 19 Jan-21 Jan  010/012-015/025-012/015
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 19 Jan to 21 Jan
A. Middle Latitudes
Active25%30%25%
Minor storm10%15%10%
Major-severe storm05%05%05%
B. High Latitudes
Active30%40%35%
Minor storm15%20%15%
Major-severe storm05%10%05%

All times in UTC

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