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Geomagnetic storm in progress

ch-hss-stirring-geomagnetic-storming

A geomagnetic storm reaching G1 – Minor levels is currently in progress as Earth enters a stream of positive polarity high-speed solar wind. 

Geomagnetic K-index of 5 (G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm) threshold was reached at 20:40 UTC on April 7:

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 948
Issue Time: 2016 Apr 07 2041 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2016 Apr 07 2040 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1800-2100 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

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.

The solar wind environment is likely to become enhanced on April 7 due to an expected solar sector boundary change (SSBC), followed by a possible co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and subsequent connection to an isolated positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). April 8 is expected to continue with elevated solar wind speed due to the CH HSS. Solar wind speed is expected to decrease by April 9 as the CH HSS begins to rotate out of geoeffective position, SWPC said at 12:30 UTC today.

Meanwhile, solar activity is rising with multiple C-class flares behind the east limb. 

There is only one numbered active region on the Earth side of the Sun – AR 2528 (beta). The region is showing signs of spot development in its intermediate area but is absent of any significant flaring.

A new active region is about to rotate around the eastern limb and it looks like it might bring us some action with it.

A G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm warning is in effect fom 22:12 UTC until 06:00 UTC:

Space Weather Message Code: WARK06
Serial Number: 327
Issue Time: 2016 Apr 07 2213 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected
Valid From: 2016 Apr 07 2212 UTC
Valid To: 2016 Apr 08 0600 UTC
Warning Condition: Onset
NOAA Scale: G2 – Moderate

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms.
Spacecraft – Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible.
Radio – HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes.

Featured image credit: NOAA/SWPC

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2 Comments

  1. There are so many people here on earth who refuse to believe that the poles are in process of changing. What can we do to help them understand that it happening?

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