Viewing archive of Sunday, 31 March 2024

Daily bulletin on solar and geomagnetic activity from the SIDC

Issued: 2024 Mar 31 1240 UTC

SIDC Forecast

Solar flares

M-class flares expected (probability >=50%)

Geomagnetism

Active conditions expected (A>=20 or K=4)

Solar protons

Quiet

	10cm flux	Ap
31 Mar 2024	135	014
01 Apr 2024	129	016
02 Apr 2024	132	010

Solar Active Regions and flaring

The solar flaring activity was at moderate. The largest flare of the period was a long duration M9.4 flare with peak time 21:16 UTC March 30. This flare originated from Catania region 22 (NOAA AR 3615), which has now almost fully rotated over the west limb. Two new, small regions have emerged, one in the east numbered NOAA AR 3624 and one (as yet unnumbered) near N18E11. These along with Catania regions 24 and 28 (NOAA AR 3617 and 3619) are simple and quiet. The solar flaring activity is expected to be at moderate levels over the next 24 hours, with possible further flares from Catania region 22 as it remains just over the limb, with C-class flares expected, M-class flares likely and a low probability for an X-class flare.

Coronal mass ejections

No Earth directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) have been detected in the available coronagraph imagery.

Coronal holes

A negative polarity northern polar coronal hole that extends down to midlatitudes began to cross the central meridian on March 31.

Solar wind

The solar wind conditions the arrival of the high-speed stream from the positive polarity coronal hole, which began to traverse the central meridian on March 27. The solar wind speed gradually increased from values around 315 km/s to around 530 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field gradually increased, reaching a maximum value of 14nT at 23:20 UTC March 30 before decreasing to values around 5nT. The Bz component reached a minimum value of -10 nT at 00:12 UTC March 31. The interplanetary magnetic field phi was in the positive sector (directed away from the Sun). The Earth is expected to continue to be under the influence of this high-speed stream on March 31 and April 01.

Geomagnetism

Geomagnetic conditions were at unsettled to active levels (NOAA Kp 4- and Local K Bel 4). Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be at unsettled to active levels on March 31 and April 01.

Proton flux levels

Over the past 24 hours the greater than 10 MeV GOES proton flux was below the 10pfu threshold and is expected to remain below this threshold for the next 24 hours. There is a small chance of an increase from flares associated with Catania region 22 (NOAA AR 3615).

Electron fluxes at geostationary orbit

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux increased slightly but remained below the 1000 pfu threshold as measured by GOES 16. It is expected to remain below this threshold over the next days. The 24-hour electron fluence was at nominal levels. The electron fluence is expected to be at nominal levels over the next day.

Today's estimated international sunspot number (ISN): 066, based on 19 stations.

Solar indices for 30 Mar 2024

Wolf number Catania	///
10cm solar flux	140
AK Chambon La Forêt	016
AK Wingst	005
Estimated Ap	005
Estimated international sunspot number	048 - Based on 22 stations

Noticeable events summary

Provided by the Solar Influences Data analysis Center© - SIDC - Processed by SpaceWeatherLive

All times in UTC

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