. Scientific Frontline: Space Weather

Space Weather


Warnings and Alerts
Issue Time: 2026 Jun 16 1124 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 3701
Begin Time: 2026 Jun 13 1332 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 1489 pfu
Space Weather Scales
Current Condition and Alerts
Issued: 2026 Jun 16 1205 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Geophysical Alert Message

Solar-terrestrial indices for 15 June follow.
Solar flux 117 and estimated planetary A-index 6.
The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 16 June was 1.33.

No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours.

No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.
Space Weather Scales
Forecast Discussion
Issued: 2026 Jun 16 1230 UTC
Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Solar Activity

.24 hr Summary...
Solar activity was at low levels. The majority of the low level C-class
flares were observed at or beyond the NE limb near N08. The largest
flare was a C1.8 at 15/1315 UTC from Region 4465 (N08W24,
Dai/beta-gamma). Slight growth was observed in this region, particularly
in the SE trailing spots along with umbral separation within its larger
spots. Region 4464 (S14W70, Hsx/alpha) was in decay as it approached the
SW limb. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

.Forecast...
Solar activity is expected to remain at low levels over 16-18 Jun, with
a slight chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares.

Energetic Particle

.24 hr Summary...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels, with peak
value of 1,488 pfu observed at 15/1740 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV
proton flux remained at background levels.

.Forecast...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is likely to reach high levels on
16-17 Jun and decrease to moderate levels on 18 Jun. The greater than 10
MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels through 18
Jun.

Solar Wind

.24 hr Summary...
Solar wind parameters were near nominal levels with solar wind speed
ranging from approximately 395 to 480 km/s. Total field was at or below
5 nT, with the Bz component between +/- 4 nT. Phi angle was
predominantly negative.

.Forecast...
The solar wind environment is expected to be enhanced on 16-18 Jun due
to a possible glancing-blow arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 12
Jun, followed by the onset of positive polarity CH HSS influences.

Geospace

.24 hr Summary...
The geomagnetic field was quiet.

.Forecast...
Unsettled to active levels are expected on 16-17 Jun due to a possible
glancing blow from the 12 Jun CME followed by CH HSS onset. Quiet to
unsettled levels are expected on 18 Jun.
Space Weather Scales
Three Day Forecast
Issued: 2026 Jun 16 1230 UTC
Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast

The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 2 (below NOAA
Scale levels).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Jun 16-Jun 18 2026 is 4.00 (below NOAA
Scale levels).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Jun 16-Jun 18 2026

Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18
00-03UT 2.00 3.00 3.33
03-06UT 1.33 2.00 3.00
06-09UT 1.00 2.00 2.33
09-12UT 1.33 1.67 2.00
12-15UT 1.67 1.33 1.67
15-18UT 1.67 2.67 1.33
18-21UT 1.67 4.00 1.33
21-00UT 2.00 3.00 2.67

Rationale: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are expected. No
significant transient or recurrent solar wind features are forecast.

B. NOAA Solar Radiation Activity Observation and Forecast

Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was
below S-scale storm level thresholds.

Solar Radiation Storm Forecast for Jun 16-Jun 18 2026

Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18
S1 or greater 1% 1% 1%

Rationale: No S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms are expected.
No significant active region activity favorable for radiation storm
production is forecast.

C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast

No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours.

Radio Blackout Forecast for Jun 16-Jun 18 2026

Jun 16 Jun 17 Jun 18
R1-R2 20% 20% 20%
R3 or greater 1% 1% 1%

Rationale: There is a slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio
blackouts through 18 Jun.
Space Weather Scales
Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Issued: 2026 Jun 15 0248 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
08 - 14 June 2026

Solar activity was at low levels the entire period, with only
C-class flares observed. There were five flares at or above the C5
level, with all but one originating from Region 4465 (N09, L=292,
class/area=Dhi/255 on 11 Jun). These included: a C7.2 at 09/0249
UTC, a C6.7/1f at 11/0026 UTC, a C9.0 at 11/0828 UTC (the largest of
the period), and finally a C5.2 flare at 12/0214 UTC. The only other
flare greater than C5 was a C6.1 flare at 11/0044 UTC from Region
4456 (N17, L=63, class/area=Dai/80 on 08 Jun).

Additional activity included a type-II radio sweep at 09/1557 UTC,
with an estimated velocity of 917 km/s, likely associated with
low-level C-class flaring from Region 4463 (N16, L=339,
class/area=Hsx/70 on 10 Jun). An associated CME was first observed
in the NE quadrant of LASCO/C2 around 09/1630 UTC, which correlated
to an eruption near (and south of) Region 4463. Analysis suggested
glancing effects near-Earth on 13-14 June. A second type-II sweep
(est. velocity = 1,127 km/s) was detected by the RSTN stations at
10/1715 UTC. An associated CME was first observed in the NE quadrant
in LASCO/C2 imagery at 10/1800 UTC, with modeling and analysis
indicating no Earth-directed component was likely. The third and
final type-II sweep of the period was associated with the C6.7/1f
flare from Region 4465 observed at 11/0002 UTC, and had an estimated
velocity of 918 km/s. Additionally, a type-IV radio sweep and a
partial halo CME were observed, with analysis indicating potential
impact near-Earth starting early on 13 Jun.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels on 08-10 and 13-14 Jun, with a peak flux of 4,259 pfu at
09/1525 UTC. Flux levels were low to moderate on 11-12 Jun.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels on 08-10
and 14 Jun under nominal conditions. Active to G1 (Minor) storm
conditions were observed on 11 Jun with unsettled to active
conditions observed on 12-13 Jun under negative polarity coronal
hole high speed stream (CH HSS) influences, combined with weak CME
effects, likely associated with the CME that left the Sun on 09 Jun.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
15 June - 11 July 2026

Solar activity is expected to be at mostly low levels through 19
Jun, with increasing chances for M-class activity after 20 Jun with
the anticipated return of Region 4455 (N14, L=88, class/area=Dki/360
on 03 Jun)

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit, barring
siginifcant flare activity.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to be at high levels on 15-17 Jun and 04-10 Jul. Normal to
moderate levels are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of
the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled
levels on 15, 17-24, and 26-30 Jun, as well as 01-02, 04-07, and
10-11 Jul. Active conditions are likely on 16, and 25 Jun and 03,
08, and 09 Jul under elevated CH HSS influence.
Space Weather Scales
About AIA Images
The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is designed to provide an unprecedented view of the solar corona, taking images that span at least 1.3 solar diameters in multiple wavelengths nearly simultaneously, at a resolution of ~ 1 arcsec and at a cadence of 10 s or better. The primary goal of the AIA Science Investigation is to use these data, together with data from other SDO instruments and from other observatories, to significantly improve our understanding of the physics behind the activity displayed by the Sun's atmosphere, which drives space weather in the heliosphere and in planetary environments. The AIA will produce data required for quantitative studies of the evolving coronal magnetic field, and the plasma that it holds, both in quiescent phases and during flares and eruptions; the AIA science investigation aims to utilize these data in a comprehensive research program to provide new understanding of the observed processes
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Daily Image AIA 171
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Ã… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Ã… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 193
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
193Ã… | corona and hot flare plasma | Fe XII, XXIV
Daily Image AIA 304
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
304Ã… | chromosphere, transition region | He II
Daily Video AIA 171
Daily Video AIA 171 PFSS Model
Daily Video AIA 193
Daily Video AIA 304
About the HMI Images
(Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager)
HMI is an instrument designed to study oscillations and the magnetic field at the solar surface, or photosphere. HMI is one of three instruments on the Solar Dynamics Observatory; together, the suite of instruments observes the Sun nearly continuously and takes a terabyte of data a day. HMI observes the full solar disk at 6173 Ã… with a resolution of 1 arcsecond. HMI is a successor to the Michelson Doppler Imager on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. This is very much how the Sun looks like in the visible range of the spectrum (for example, looking at it using special 'eclipse' glasses: Remember, do not ever look directly at the Sun!). The magnetogram image shows the magnetic field in the solar photosphere, with black and white indicating opposite polarities.
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Daily Image HMI Continuum
Daily Image HMI Magnetogram
Daily Video HMI Continuum
Daily Video HMI Magnetogram
About LASCO Images
LASCO (Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph) is able to take images of the solar corona by blocking the light coming directly from the Sun with an occulter disk, creating an artificial eclipse within the instrument itself. The position of the solar disk is indicated in the images by the white circle. The most prominent feature of the corona are usually the coronal streamers, those nearly radial bands that can be seen both in C2 and C3. Occasionally, a coronal mass ejection can be seen being expelled away from the Sun and crossing the fields of view of both coronagraphs. The shadow crossing from the lower left corner to the center of the image is the support for the occulter disk.
C2 images show the inner solar corona up to 8.4 million kilometers (5.25 million miles) away from the Sun.
C3 images have a larger field of view: They encompass 32 diameters of the Sun. To put this in perspective, the diameter of the images is 45 million kilometers (about 30 million miles) at the distance of the Sun, or half of the diameter of the orbit of Mercury. Many bright stars can be seen behind the Sun.
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Combined C2 C3 and AIA 304
Log Polar View C2 C3 and AIA 304
Combined C2 C3 and AIA 304 Video
Log Polar View C2 C3 and AIA 304 Video
Space Weather Videos
Space Weather Information

Demystifying Space Weather

An article by Scientific Frontline
Informative information and glossary about “Space Weather”

Space weather has become increasingly important in our modern world due to our growing reliance on technology. It can impact various aspects of our daily lives, from communication and navigation systems to power grids and even astronaut safety. In this deep dive, we'll explore the intricacies of space weather, its causes, its effects, and why understanding it is crucial in our technology-dependent society.



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