Earth under the influence of polar-connected CH HSS

A negative polarity, polar-connected coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) is affecting Earth for the second day in a row, sparking geomagnetic storms reaching G2 Moderate levels.

Over the past 24 hours,  the solar wind environment was elevated due to the passage of a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and the subsequent onset of a negative polarity, polar-connected CH HSS. The Bz component was variable and reached a maximum southward deviation of -12 nT. The solar wind speed was elevated between 550 km/s to near 725 km/s. The phi angle was negative.

The geomagnetic field was mostly at active to G1 Minor storm levels, with an isolated period of G2 (moderate) storm levels between 21:00 and 24:00 UTC.

Isolated G1 geomagnetic storming is expected to continue today due to ongoing CH HSS influence. Primarily unsettled to active conditions are expected late March 2 and into March 3.

By March 4, levels are anticipated to be mostly unsettled, with a chance for isolated active periods as CH HSS influences begin to wane.

Taken by Ayumi Bakken on March 1, 2017 @ Fairbanks, Alaska. Via SpaceWeather

SWPC alerts and warnings

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 1068
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 1056 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2017 Mar 02 1055 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0900-1200 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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
Serial Number: 3150
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 0910 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Extension to Serial Number: 3149
Valid From: 2017 Mar 01 0131 UTC
Now Valid Until: 2017 Mar 02 1800 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence

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

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.

***

Space Weather Message Code: WARK05
Serial Number: 1313
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 0858 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected
Extension to Serial Number: 1312
Valid From: 2017 Mar 01 0850 UTC
Now Valid Until: 2017 Mar 02 1500 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence

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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2552
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 0501 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2551
Begin Time: 2017 Mar 02 0440 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 1429 pfu

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

Potential Impacts: Satellite systems may experience significant charging resulting in increased risk to satellite systems.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2551
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 0458 UTC

ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Threshold Reached: 2017 Mar 02 0440 UTC
Station: GOES-13
 

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

Potential Impacts: Satellite systems may experience significant charging resulting in increased risk to satellite systems.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 1067
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 02 0057 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2017 Mar 02 0057 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0000-0300 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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: WARK05
Serial Number: 1312
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 01 2305 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected
Extension to Serial Number: 1311
Valid From: 2017 Mar 01 0850 UTC
Now Valid Until: 2017 Mar 02 0900 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence

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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: WARK06
Serial Number: 370
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 01 2305 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected
Extension to Serial Number: 369
Valid From: 2017 Mar 01 2031 UTC
Now Valid Until: 2017 Mar 02 0400 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence

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.
Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 424
Issue Time: 2017 Mar 01 2305 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2017 Mar 01 2300 UTC
Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
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.
Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.

Featured image credit: NOAA/SWPC