Geomagnetic Storm Update
Geomagnetic Storming continues at very high latitudes as effects from an incoming CME shock continues on Sunday morning. The Kp index initially reached moderate G2 Geomagnetic Storm status (Kp=6). Currently as of this update, the Bz component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field is tipped south and a minor G1 Storm is in progress.
UPDATE: The Kp index dropped below the Minor Geomagnetic Storm threshold (Kp=4). Minor storm flareups at high latitudes could still take place for the remainder of the day.
Geomagnetic Storming continues at very high latitudes as effects from an incoming CME shock continues on Sunday morning. The Kp index initially reached moderate G2 Geomagnetic Storm status (Kp=6). Currently as of this update, the Bz component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field is tipped south and a minor G1 Storm is in progress.
UPDATE: The Kp index dropped below the Minor Geomagnetic Storm threshold (Kp=4). Minor storm flareups at high latitudes could still take place for the remainder of the day.
Solar Update
Solar activity is currently at low levels with only C-Class flares detected within the past 24 hours. There is a very low threat for an X-Class flare within the next 48 hours. Sunspot 1504 remains a large Sunspot cluster with a Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration.
Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 168 Issued at 2200Z on 16 Jun 2012
IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 15/2100Z
to 16/2100Z: Solar activity remained low. The largest flare of the
past 24 hours was a C2/1n, which occurred at 16/0048Z from Region
1504 (S17W27). Region 1504 has continued to grow in area, but the
number of spots and magnetic complexity remained stable with a
beta-gamma magnetic configuration. New Region 1509 (S16W43) was
numbered today as an H-type group with an alpha magnetic
configuration.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be low
to moderate during the period (17-19 June), with M-class flares
likely from Region 1504.
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 15/2100Z to 16/2100Z:
Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. Three
sudden impulses were observed today at 0957Z, 2019Z, and 2115Z (28
nT, 28 nT, and 25 nT, respectively, as measured by the Boulder USGS
magnetometer). ACE data indicated three shock arrivals at around
0900Z, 1931Z, and 2031Z. Solar wind speed ACE increased to around
425 km/s and total field strength reached 10 nT with the first shock
passage, 450 km/s and 17 nT with the second, and 530 km/s and 34 nT
with the third. The greater than 10 MeV proton event began at 1955Z,
reached a maximum flux of 14.4 PFU at 2020Z, and remains in progress
at the time of forecast.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast: Geomagnetic field activity is
expected to be unsettled to active with a chance for minor storm
levels on day 1 (17 June) due to the CME arrivals. Conditions are
expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled on day 2 (18 June) as the
CME effects subside. On day 3 (19 June) conditions are expected to
be mostly quiet.
