High-speed solar wind speed buffeting Earth's magnetic field – G1 geomagnetic storm in progress
Image credit: SWPC/NOAA
A high-speed solar wind stream from a geoeffective coronal hole is buffeting Earth's magnetic field and causing geomagnetic storms around the poles. The Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is rotating between north and south pointing position.
G1 geomagnetic storm threshold was reached at 03:44 UTC today. Area of impact is primarily poleward of 60 degrees geomagnetic latitude, weak power grid fluctuations can occur, minor impact on satellite operations are possible.
High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2013 Aug 16 0344 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0300-0600 UTC
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor
Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.
USAF Wing Kp Predicted activity index
NOAA SWPC forecasters estimated 35% chance for an M-class, and 5% chance for an X-class solar flare today.
There are currently 7 numbered sunspot regions on the disk. AR 1817, source of M1.5 solar flare on August 12, 2013, is now classified with Beta-Gamma-Delta magnetic field configuration and is capable of strong eruptions. Luckily, it is now rotating far away from the center of the disk and will soon become farside region. AR 1818, located almost at the center of the disk is still classified with Beta magnetic field. All other regions, except 1823, have Beta magnetic field.
On August 15, 2013 at 22:16 UTC a C2.9 solar flare was observed from around AR 1817. A Type II Radio Emission was associated with the event. Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.
ALERT: Type II Radio Emission
Begin Time: 2013 Aug 15 2217 UTC
Estimated Velocity: 1019 km/s
Description: Type II emissions occur in association with eruptions on the sun and typically indicate a coronal mass ejection is associated with a flare event.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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