Viewing archive of Saturday, 17 March 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 Mar 17 2200 UTCPrepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com
Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 077 Issued at 2200Z on 17 Mar 2012IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 16-2100Z to 17-2100Z Solar activity was moderate. Region 1435 (S26W37)
grew rapidly overnight ending the period as a Dro type group with
beta magnetic characteristics. Nearby Region 1434 (S22W27) produced
an impulsive M1/Sf flare at 17/2039Z. This flare was accompanied
by a Type II radio sweep (1140 km/s). A northward directed wave was
visible in SDO/AIA 193 imagery. Region 1432 (N14W39), currently a
Cro type group with beta magnetic characteristics, produced a C1
flare at 17/0312, but was generally quiet overnight. New Region
1437 (S34E15) was numbered today. It and the remaining regions were
small, magnetically simple, and stable.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low
with a chance for an isolated M-class flare all three days (18-20
March), particularly from the vicinity of Regions 1434 and 1435.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 16-2100Z to 17-2100Z
Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels with
isolated minor to major storm levels observed at high latitudes.
This activity was in response to the continued presence of a high
speed solar wind stream. Solar wind speed, measured at the ACE
spacecraft, remained around 650 km/s while Bz ranged between +5 and
-5 nT. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit
reached high levels during the period.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
Geomagnetic field activity is
expected to begin at unsettled levels and increase to active to
isolated minor storm levels on Day 1 (18 March) as a CME from 15
March arrives. Activity levels are expected to be predominantly
active on Day 2 (19 March), declining to unsettled levels on Day 3
(20 March) as effects from the CME subside. Analysis of the M1/Sf
flare is ongoing to determine if it was associated with an
Earth-directed CME.
III. Event Probabilities 18 Mar to 20 Mar
| Class M | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| Class X | 05% | 05% | 05% |
| Proton | 05% | 05% | 05% |
| PCAF | green | ||
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed 17 Mar 102 Predicted 18 Mar-20 Mar 100/100/105 90 Day Mean 17 Mar 124
V. Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 16 Mar 017/021 Estimated Afr/Ap 17 Mar 013/016 Predicted Afr/Ap 18 Mar-20 Mar 018/025-015/020-008/010
VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 18 Mar to 20 Mar
| A. Middle Latitudes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | 40% | 30% | 05% |
| Minor storm | 20% | 15% | 01% |
| Major-severe storm | 05% | 01% | 01% |
| B. High Latitudes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Active | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Minor storm | 25% | 20% | 10% |
| Major-severe storm | 35% | 25% | 05% |
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