G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm in progress

g2-moderate-geomagnetic-storm-september-14-2017

Our planet is under the influence of a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) which is causing isolated periods of G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storming.

Geomagnetic K-index of 5 (G1 – Minor) geomagnetic storm threshold was reached at 15:43 UTC. G2 – Moderate (K-index of 6) threshold was reached at 17:59 UTC.

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.

K-index - September 14, 2017

ACE RTSW - September 14, 2017

CH HSS effects will continue through September 16.

Meanwhile, with AR 2673, the source of numerous M- and 4 X-class solar flares over the past 10 days, now on the Sun's far side, solar activity is back at low levels. There is only one numbered sunspot group on the Earth side of the Sun – Region 2680 (Alpha), relatively stable and inactive over the past 24 hours.

Sunspots on September 14, 2017

Sunspots on September 14, 2017. Credit: NASA/SDO HMI

SWPC alerts

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 445
Issue Time: 2017 Sep 14 1802 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2017 Sep
14 1759 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1500-1800 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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: WARK06
Serial Number: 400
Issue Time: 2017 Sep 14 1553 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected
Valid From: 2017 Sep 14 1555 UTC
Valid To: 2017 Sep 14 2100 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.
Aurora – Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 1157
Issue Time: 2017 Sep 14 1546 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2017 Sep 14 1543 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1500-1800 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: ALTK04
Serial Number: 2005
Issue Time: 2017 Sep 14 1503 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4
Threshold Reached: 2017 Sep 14 1459 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

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.

Featured image credit: NOAA/SWPC

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