10/21 Recap
Note: Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences’ HP Index feed has been down all day, so we’re using NOAA’s KP Index for tonight’s post. As a reminder, the KP Index provides Geomagnetic measurements based on 3-hour averages of all reporting observatories.
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The new Coronal Hole’s HSS arrived around 5.00a CDT this morning and briefly took us into 500 km/sec in Solar Wind Speeds from about 9.00-10.30a CDT this morning. The rest of the day we’ve been over 400 km/sec. It’s a relatively small Coronal Hole bombarding us, so the impact on our Geomagnetics wasn’t huge, but we did reach HP = 5 (G1) Geomagnetic Storms levels sometime after 4.00p CDT today. Spaceweatherlive.com says we’re still at HP = 5 (G1) Geomagnetic Storm levels as of 7.03p CDT. NOAA’s Alerts and Warnings report indicates we’re under a Geomagnetic Storm Watch until 4.00a CDT tomorrow. Please note, this Watch may be extended overnight. Those of you in the northernmost U.S. might catch an aurora pic this evening if you go outside, face north, and take a pic. As a reminder, some auroras aren’t visible to the naked eye, but do show up in pics. Share your shots if you get any!
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Solar Flares were pretty numerous today, but stayed in the B- to C-Class range. We still have an M Class Solar Flare Watch due to 4 Exiting Sun Spots.
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Electron Saturation spent more time at Moderate levels today, and is likely to cross its Alert Threshold each of the coming 3 days. Proton Saturation is staying at Normal levels, and should continue to do this if Solar Flares stay at their current levels.
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Solar Flare Conditions
C Class Solar Flares
M Class Solar Flare Watch
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Geomagnetic Conditions
KP = 3.0 Average
KP = 5 (G1) Geomagnetic Storms 10/21 @ 4.00p-7.00p CDT
KP = 5 (G1) Geomagnetic Storm Watch
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Solar Wind Conditions
Solar Wind Density < 10.0/cm3
Solar Wind Speed Variable between 373-415 km/sec 10/20 @ 7.00p CDT, ~430 km/sec beginning 110/21 @ 5.54a CDT, Peaked 523 km/sec @ 9.22a CDT, Variable between 446-512 km/sec beginning 11.29a CDT
Solar Wind Speed >400 km/sec Warning and Watch
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Electron and Proton Saturation Conditions
Electron Saturation Low – Moderate
Proton Saturation Normal
Electron Saturation >1K pfu Watch
Connie Howell