A new round of geomagnetic storming sparked

a-new-round-of-geomagnetic-storming-sparked

A new round of geomagnetic storming is in progress on March 15, 2016.

Solar wind parameters are enhanced since late March 14 due to the onset of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) and are expected to remain like that through March 16.

Kp-index of 5, G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm, threshold was reached at 22:35 UTC on March 14 and then again at 20:50 UTC on March 15.

Solar wind speed is expected to start decreasing on March 17, as CH HSS effects start to subside.

The coronal hole in question is visible on the following images, see CH 02:

Solar activity was very low today and is expected to remain like that over the next three days (March 15 – 17). There is a chance, however, for C-class flares, with Region 2421 and a region just beyond the east limb being the likely source of eruptions.

SWPC reported an eruptive prominence on the northwest limb (EPL) was observed lifting off from 04:18 to 05:18 UTC today. Their initial analysis indicates a trajectory too far north of the Sun-Earth line to have an impact on Earth.

SWPC alerts

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 940
Issue Time: 2016 Mar 14 2236 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2016 Mar 14 2235 UTC
Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

***

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 941
Issue Time: 2016 Mar 15 2051 UTC

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2016 Mar 15 2050 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1800-2100 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor

NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation

Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents – Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft – Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora – Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

Featured image credit: NASA SDO/AIA

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