Geomagnetic storm now in progress

The Bz component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field has been tilting sharply south for long durations and this has in turn generated a G1 Level Geomagnetic Storm at very high latitudes. Migratory animals are affected at this and higher levels and  aurora is commonly visible at high latitudes. Furthermore, a Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse was detected very early this morning. Weak or minor degradation of HF radio communication on sunlit side and occasional loss of radio contact are possible due the R1 radio blackout level. Low-frequency navigation signals can degrade for brief intervals.

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to minor storm levels. It reached Kp=5 but it is currently at Kp=4 level. The Bz component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field is now tilting northward.

NOAA Scales Activity
Range 1 (minor) to 5 (extreme)
NOAA Scale	Past 24 hours	Current
Geomagnetic Storms *
Solar Radiation Storms
Radio Blackouts

Current conditions:

Solar wind
speed: 315.9 km/sec
density: 0.4 protons/cm³

The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 129 sfu

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 4 unsettled
24-hr max: Kp= 5 storm

Interplanetary Mag. Field
B_total: 12.4 nT
B_z: 2.3 nT north 

A recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream is expected to be in a geoeffective position throughout the next few days. High latitude aurora watchers should remain on alert!

SUMMARY: Geomagnetic Sudden Impulse
Observed: 2012 Jun 03 0900 UTC
Deviation: 185 nT

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity (Issued: 2012 Jun 03 2200 UTC) Prepared jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.S. Air Force.

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity (2200Z on 03 Jun 2012)

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to minor storm levels. Although the solar wind speed measured at the ACE spacecraft remained below 400 km/s for most of the period, the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field remained southward from approximately 03/0400Z until about 02/1730Z, ranging from -5 nT to as low as -15 nT. The geomagnetic field responded with an active period from 03/12-15Z and a minor storm period from 03/15-18Z. Conditions returned to active levels for the last period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at active levels for days one and two (4-5 June) with a chance for isolated minor storm periods. Day three (6 June) is expected to be at unsettled to active levels. A recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream is expected to be in a geoeffective position throughout the forecast period.

Featured image credit: Jan Curtis