Viewing archive of Saturday, 21 April 2012

Solar activity report

Any mentioned solar flare in this report has a scaling factor applied by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Because of the SWPC scaling factor, solar flares are reported as 42% smaller than for the science quality data. The scaling factor has been removed from our archived solar flare data to reflect the true physical units.
Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2012 Apr 21 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 112 Issued at 2200Z on 21 Apr 2012

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 20-2100Z to 21-2100Z

Solar activity was low. Regions 1460 (N16W27 - Dkc/beta) and 1465 (S17E27 - Dso/beta) each produced a low-level C-class flare. Region 1460 showed minor interior spot growth and some mixed polarities in its trailer portion. Minor interior spot growth also occurred in Region 1465 as well as penumbral growth in its trailer. Region 1459 (S14W13 - Eac/beta) showed penumbral growth in its interior portion and maintained a simple beta magnetic configuration. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed during the period. No new regions were numbered.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low during the period (22 - 24 April) with a chance for an isolated M-class flare.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 20-2100Z to 21-2100Z
Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels until around 21/1900Z, then increased to quiet to unsettled levels. The increase was associated with a weak interplanetary shock (IPS) passage, detected at ACE at around 21/1611Z, and followed by a weak geomagnetic field response at around 21/1712Z (no Sudden Geomagnetic Impulse observed). ACE solar wind data showed a change to mostly southward IMF Bz following the IPS passage (maximum deflections to -8 nT) as well as a gradual increase in IMF Bt (peaks to 9 nT). A minor increase in wind speeds also followed the IPS passage. It is likely the CME passage was associated with the partial-halo CME observed on 18 April.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels during the period (22 - 24 April) with a chance for active levels. Weak CME-passage effects are expected during 22 - 23 April (another CME is expected to arrive late on 22 April). A recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream is expected to become geoeffective on 24 April.
III. Event Probabilities 22 Apr to 24 Apr
Class M30%30%30%
Class X01%01%01%
Proton01%01%01%
PCAFgreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       21 Apr 149
  Predicted   22 Apr-24 Apr  150/150/145
  90 Day Mean        21 Apr 112
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 20 Apr  007/008
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 21 Apr  006/007
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 22 Apr-24 Apr  011/012-010/010-010/010
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 22 Apr to 24 Apr
A. Middle Latitudes
Active20%20%25%
Minor storm10%10%15%
Major-severe storm01%01%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active25%25%35%
Minor storm15%15%25%
Major-severe storm05%05%10%

All times in UTC

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