Viewing archive of Sunday, 18 March 2012

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 2012 Mar 18 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 078 Issued at 2200Z on 18 Mar 2012

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

Solar activity was low. Region 1434 (S20W40) produced a single C1/Sn flare at 17/0237Z and ended the period as a Dso type group with beta magnetic characteristics. Region 1435 (S25W50) grew larger and more magnetically complex, ending as a Dao type group with beta-gamma magnetic characteristics. A non-Earth-directed CME was observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 18/0024Z and believed to originate from old Region 1429 (N19, L=295).
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low with a slight chance for an M-class flare from Regions 1434 or 1435.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 17-2100Z to 18-2100Z
The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels. The coronal hole high speed stream abated over the course of the day. Solar wind speed at the ACE spacecraft began declining from 650 km/s at 17/2300Z to end the period near 500 km/s. Bt decreased and Bz was neutral to slightly negative. With the departure of the high speed stream, the geomagnetic field activity decreased from active to quiet levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during the period.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to active levels as a CME from 15 March arrives early in the period on Day 1 (19 March). There is a slight chance for minor storm levels. Activity levels are expected to decline to unsettled on Day 2 (20 March) and quiet by Day 3 (21 March) as the effects from the CME subside.
III. Event Probabilities 19 Mar to 21 Mar
Class M15%15%15%
Class X05%05%05%
Proton05%05%05%
PCAFgreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       18 Mar 102
  Predicted   19 Mar-21 Mar  100/105/105
  90 Day Mean        18 Mar 124
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 17 Mar  015/022
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 18 Mar  011/013
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 19 Mar-21 Mar  015/020-008/010-005/005
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 19 Mar to 21 Mar
A. Middle Latitudes
Active30%05%05%
Minor storm15%01%01%
Major-severe storm01%01%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active15%15%15%
Minor storm20%10%15%
Major-severe storm15%05%05%

All times in UTC

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