Geomagnetic storms reaching G2 – Moderate levels, spotless Sun

geomagnetic-storms-reaching-g2-moderate-levels-spotless-sun

Earth is again under the influence of a recurrent, positive polarity, northern extension Coronal Hole High Speed Stream (CH HSS). G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm level threshold was reached at 11:55 UTC, followed by G2 – Moderate at 19:21 UTC.

Over the past 24 hours, solar wind parameters were indicative of the arrival of Co-rotating Interaction Region (CIR). Solar wind speed increased from near 350 km/s to near 430 km/s by 12:30 UTC today. Total field increased to a maximum of 16 nT, and the Bz component underwent a couple of extended periods in a southward sector, reaching a maximum deflection of -14 nT. Phi angle was oriented in a negative solar sector until near 03:00 UTC today when a Solar Sector Boundary Crossing (SSBC) occurred and the orientation shifted to positive.

Solar wind environment is expected to remain enhanced through November 7 under the influence of CH HSS.

SWX overview November 7, 2017Satellite Environment (3-day) November 7, 2017 K-Index 7 days November 7, 2017Detected coronal holes on November 7, 2017Geoeffective coronal hole - SDO AIA 211, 193,171 on November 5, 2017

Solar activity is at very low levels and is expected to remain very low over the next three days. 

There are no numbered sunspot regions on the Earth side of the Sun, another sure sign the Sun is heading toward Solar Minimum. Further increase in cosmic radiation is expected in the years ahead, and everything that comes with it.

Sunspots on November 7, 2017

Sunspots on November 7, 2017. Credit: NASA SDO/HMI

SWPC alerts

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06
Serial Number: 455
Issue Time: 2017 Nov 07 1924 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2017 Nov 07 1921 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1800-2100 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: ALTK05
Serial Number: 1191
Issue Time: 2017 Nov 07 1840 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2017 Nov 07 1835 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.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 1190
Issue Time: 2017 Nov 07 1155 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2017 Nov 07 1155 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: ALTK04
Serial Number: 2013
Issue Time: 2017 Nov 07 0859 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4
Threshold Reached: 2017 Nov 07 0859 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 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: Aurora forecast for 21:05 UTC on November 7, 2017. Credit: NOAA/SWPC

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