Viewing archive of Thursday, 17 October 2002

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 2002 Oct 17 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 290 Issued at 2200Z on 17 Oct 2002

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 16-2100Z to 17-2100Z

Solar activity was at low levels. Region 158 (S08E11) produced the largest flare of the period which was a C3.5/Sf that occurred at 17/1207 UTC. Penumbral growth was seen in the trailing cluster of spots in this northeast-southwest orientated spot complex. A weak gamma magnetic structure also became evident today. Several lesser C-class flares were also attributed to this region. Region 149 (N14W33) showed slight decay and produced a single optically correlated long duration event, flare maximum reached C3.0/Sf at 17/1805 UTC. Weak magnetic gamma structure seen yesterday is no longer apparent. New region 162 (N25E76) was assigned today.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be at low levels. Region 149 and 158 are capable of producing low level M-class flare activity.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 16-2100Z to 17-2100Z
The geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels. An isolated active period occurred between 17/0000-0300 UTC at high latitudes.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field activity is expected to be predominantly quiet to unsettled. Active conditions are possible on day one due to elevated solar wind speed. Day three may see active conditions in response to a relatively small, yet favorably positioned coronal hole.
III. Event Probabilities 18 Oct to 20 Oct
Class M40%40%40%
Class X05%05%05%
Proton01%01%01%
PCAFgreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       17 Oct 179
  Predicted   18 Oct-20 Oct  185/185/180
  90 Day Mean        17 Oct 182
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 16 Oct  009/014
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 17 Oct  010/015
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 18 Oct-20 Oct  010/015-008/012-010/015
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 18 Oct to 20 Oct
A. Middle Latitudes
Active20%15%20%
Minor storm05%01%05%
Major-severe storm01%01%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active30%25%30%
Minor storm10%05%10%
Major-severe storm05%01%05%

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