Series of coronal holes spark G1 – Minor geomagnetic storming

geomagnetic-storm-august-2020

Our planet is under the influence of a series of coronal holes since August 25, 2020, sparking unsettled to G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions. The effect is expected to continue through at least September 2.

G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm threshold was first reached at 17:59 UTC on August 28 and again at 04:27 UTC on August 31. Under G1 conditions, the area of impact is primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Weak power grid fluctuations can occur as well as minor impact on satellites. Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, eg. northern tier of the U.S., Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, etc.

The August 28th geomagnetic storm is only the second geomagnetic storm of the year.

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC today, solar wind parameters reflected the continued influence of a positive polarity CH HSS, SWPC forecasters noted.

Total field strength values hovered at around 4 – 6 nT and Bz was sustained southward at around -5 nT from 03:00 to 05:00 UTC on August 30. Solar wind speeds decreased slightly throughout the day and ended the period at around 450 km/s.

The geomagnetic field was mostly quiet this period, with isolated active periods due to continued, but weakening CH HSS influence.

At 06:59 UTC on August 31, the solar wind speed increased to 542 km/s at 06:59 UTC and to 608 km/s at 08:41 UTC.

Below is a list of all SWPC warnings and alerts issued since August 26 (newest at the top):


Space Weather Message Code: WARK04

Serial Number: 3752

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 31 0856 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Extension to Serial Number: 3751

Valid From: 2020 Aug 31 0202 UTC

Now Valid Until: 2020 Aug 31 1800 UTC

Warning Condition: Persistence

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: ALTK05

Serial Number: 1296

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 31 0428 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 31 0427 UTC

Synoptic Period: 0300-0600 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

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: 1553

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 31 0357 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 31 0357 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 31 0900 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

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: 2164

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 31 0302 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 31 0259 UTC

Synoptic Period: 0000-0300 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3751

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 31 0203 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 31 0202 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 31 0900 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: ALTEF3

Serial Number: 3040

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 30 1727 UTC

ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 30 1325 UTC

Station: GOES-16

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3750

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 29 2000 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 29 2000 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 30 0900 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: ALTK04

Serial Number: 2163

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 29 0902 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 29 0859 UTC

Synoptic Period: 0600-0900 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3749

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 29 0725 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 29 0725 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 29 1500 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3748

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 28 2343 UTC

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Extension to Serial Number: 3747

Valid From: 2020 Aug 28 1632 UTC

Now Valid Until: 2020 Aug 29 0600 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: 1552

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 28 1800 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 28 1759 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 28 2359 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

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: 1295

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 28 1800 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 28 1759 UTC

Synoptic Period: 1500-1800 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

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: 2162

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 28 1646 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4

Threshold Reached: 2020 Aug 28 1643 UTC

Synoptic Period: 1500-1800 UTC

Active Warning: Yes

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3747

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 28 1632 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 28 1632 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 28 2359 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3746

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 27 1313 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 27 1313 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 27 2359 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: WARK04

Serial Number: 3745

Issue Time: 2020 Aug 26 1050 UTC

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected

Valid From: 2020 Aug 26 1049 UTC

Valid To: 2020 Aug 26 1500 UTC

Warning Condition: Onset

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: SWPC

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