Viewing archive of Monday, 19 March 2018

Daily bulletin on solar and geomagnetic activity from the SIDC

Issued: 2018 Mar 19 1230 UTC

SIDC Forecast

Valid from 1230 UTC, 19 Mar 2018 until 21 Mar 2018
Solar flares

Quiet conditions (<50% probability of C-class flares)

Geomagnetism

Active conditions expected (A>=20 or K=4)

Solar protons

Quiet

10cm fluxAp
19 Mar 2018068023
20 Mar 2018068013
21 Mar 2018067010

Bulletin

Solar activity was at very low levels. Active region NOAA 2702 decayed further into a spotless faculae field and was quiet. No earth- directed coronal mass ejection (CMEs) were observed in available coronagraphic imagery. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at nominal levels.

Solar activity is expected to remain at very low levels.

Earth is under the influence of the high speed stream (HSS) from a negative polarity coronal hole (CH). Solar wind speed gradually increased from initial values around 510 km/s to peak values near 610 km/s at 04UT, before declining to its current 520 km/s (DSCOVR). A stretch of negative Bz was observed between 17 and 22UT, with values as low as -9 nT. During the second half of the period, Bz varied between mostly -3 and +3 nT. The interplanetary magnetic field was mostly directed towards the Sun.

In response to the period of sustained negative Bz, geomagnetic storming conditions were observed from 18UT on 18 March till 03UT on 19 March, with Kp reaching 6 (moderate storm) during the 21-24UT interval. Dst values were modest at only -36nT.

Small near-equatorial CHs and two extensions from the negative polarity southern polar CH are moving into geo-effective positions. The associated wind streams may affect the earth environment in the next few days. Unsettled to active conditions are expected, with a chance on an isolated minor storming episode.

Today's estimated international sunspot number (ISN): 000, based on 16 stations.

Solar indices for 18 Mar 2018

Wolf number Catania///
10cm solar flux069
AK Chambon La Forêt039
AK Wingst025
Estimated Ap024
Estimated international sunspot number007 - Based on 16 stations

Noticeable events summary

DayBeginMaxEndLocStrengthOP10cmCatania/NOAARadio burst types
None

Provided by the Solar Influences Data analysis Center© - SIDC - Processed by SpaceWeatherLive

All times in UTC

<< Go to daily overview page

G1 - Minor geomagnetic storm

Observed Kp: 5
Threshold reached: 23:19 UTC

Current data suggests there is a high possibility for aurora to appear at the following high latitude regions in the near future

Reykjavik

Current data suggests there is a moderate possibility for aurora to appear at the following high latitude regions in the near future

Tórshavn
Oulu, Rovaniemi, Sodankylä
Tromsø
Kiruna, Luleå

Current data suggests there is a slight possibility for aurora to appear at the following high latitude regions in the near future

Kuopio
Bergen, Trondheim
Arkhangelsk
Sundsvall, Umeå

Current data suggests there is a slight possibility for aurora to appear at the following middle latitude regions in the near future

Tampere
The solar wind speed is currently moderately high (561.6 km/sec.)
The strength of the interplanetary magnetic field is moderate (10.64nT), the direction is slightly South (-9.84nT).
The Disturbance Storm Time index predicts moderate storm conditions right now (-73nT)
The maximum X-ray flux of the past two hours is:
C5.75

Latest news

Support SpaceWeatherLive.com!

A lot of people come to SpaceWeatherLive to follow the Sun's activity or if there is aurora to be seen, but with more traffic comes higher server costs. Consider a donation if you enjoy SpaceWeatherLive so we can keep the website online!

Donate SpaceWeatherLive Pro
Support SpaceWeatherLive with our merchandise
Check out our merchandise

Latest alerts

23:30 UTC - Geomagnetic activity

Minor G1 geomagnetic storm (Kp5) Threshold Reached: 23:17 UTC

alert


21:03 UTC - Hemispheric Power Index

The OVATION model predicts the Hemispheric Power Index to reach 75GW at 21:49 UTC


13:15 UTC - Geomagnetic activity

Minor G1 geomagnetic storm (Kp5) Threshold Reached: 13:07 UTC

alert


12:33 UTC - Hemispheric Power Index

The OVATION model predicts the Hemispheric Power Index to reach 75GW at 13:21 UTC


00:15 UTC - Geomagnetic activity

Minor G1 geomagnetic storm (Kp5) Threshold Reached: 23:59 UTC

alert


Get instant alerts!

Space weather facts

Last X-flare2025/03/28X1.1
Last M-flare2025/04/01M2.5
Last geomagnetic storm2025/03/27Kp5 (G1)
Spotless days
Last spotless day2022/06/08
Monthly mean Sunspot Number
March 2025134.2 -20.4
April 2025143 +8.8
Last 30 days129.8 -16.3

This day in history*

Solar flares
12002M8.82
21999M6.76
32001M2.91
42003M2.74
52001M2.31
DstG
11979-202G3
21988-133G3
31984-120G4
42004-117G2
51994-111G3
*since 1994

Social networks