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| Warnings and Alerts | |
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Issue Time: 2026 Apr 15 2143 UTC
WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Apr 16: None (Below G1) Apr 17: G2 (Moderate) Apr 18: G2 (Moderate) THIS SUPERSEDES ANY/ALL PRIOR WATCHES IN EFFECT Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms. Spacecraft - Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. Space Weather Scales |
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| Current Condition and Alerts | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 16 1205 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Geophysical Alert Message Solar-terrestrial indices for 15 April follow. Solar flux 105 and estimated planetary A-index 4. The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 16 April was 0.67. 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 |
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| Forecast Discussion | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 16 1230 UTC
Prepared
by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Solar Activity .24 hr Summary... Solar activity reached low levels with only B and C-class flaring from Region 4419 (N13E36, Eki/beta-gamma). Moderate growth occurred in Region 4419 along with consolidation of its leading spots. Slight decay was observed in Region 4416 (N20W57, Dao/beta). Other activity included two CMEs on the NE and SE quadrants. The first was associated with a long-duration B7.9 flare that started at 15/0730 UTC from Region 4419. A likely associated CME was observed off the NE limb at 15/0748 UTC. The second was an approximate 35 degree filament eruption, centered near S30E20, at 15/0940 UTC. An associated CME was observed off the SE limb at 15/1036 UTC. Initial modelling indicated no Earth-directed component. A partial halo CME was observed with the bulk off the NW limb beginning at 15/1148 UTC. That CME was determined to be backsided. An additional CME was observed off the West limb starting in C2 imagery near 16/0000 UTC. This CME was also determined to originate from the far side of the disk. .Forecast... Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flare on 16-18 Apr primarily due to the flare potential of Region 4419. Energetic Particle .24 hr Summary... Electrons greater than 2 MeV at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels with a peak of 3,248 pfu observed at 15/1820 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels. .Forecast... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 16-17 Apr. A brief drop to moderate levels is expected on 18 Apr with the arrival of a negative polarity CH HSS. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels on 16-18 Apr. Solar Wind .24 hr Summary... Solar wind parameters were at nominal levels with solar wind speed ranging from 324-381 km/s. Total field ranged from 2-6 nT while the Bz component was between +4/-5 nT. Phi angle was predominantly positive. .Forecast... Solar wind parameters are expected to become enhanced by mid to late on 17 Apr with the arrival of a co-rotating interaction region followed by negative polarity CH HSS activity. Solar wind speed ranging from 600-700 km/s are likely based on recurrent values. Enhanced conditions are expected to persist through 18 Apr. Geospace .24 hr Summary... The geomagnetic field was quiet. .Forecast... The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to unsettled on 16 Apr. By mid to late on 17 Apr, CH HSS activity is expected to cause unsettled to active periods with G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storming likely. Unsettled to G2 (Moderate) levels are expected to continue through 18 Apr as HSS effects persist. Space Weather Scales |
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| Three Day Forecast | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 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 Apr 16-Apr 18 2026 is 6.00 (NOAA Scale G2). NOAA Kp index breakdown Apr 16-Apr 18 2026 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 00-03UT 0.67 2.33 6.00 (G2) 03-06UT 1.00 2.67 6.00 (G2) 06-09UT 1.00 2.67 5.00 (G1) 09-12UT 0.67 2.00 4.00 12-15UT 1.67 1.33 3.67 15-18UT 1.67 2.67 3.33 18-21UT 1.67 4.33 3.00 21-00UT 2.33 5.67 (G2) 4.33 Rationale: G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storms are likely on 17-18 Apr due to the anticipated arrival of a negative polarity CH HSS CIR. 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 Apr 16-Apr 18 2026 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 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 Apr 16-Apr 18 2026 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 R1-R2 30% 30% 30% R3 or greater 5% 5% 5% Rationale: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts through 18 Apr, mostly due to the flare potential of Region 4419. Space Weather Scales |
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| Weekly Highlights and Forecasts | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 13 0104 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 - 12 April 2026 Solar activity was at very low to moderate levels during the period. Moderate levels were reached on 09 Apr, with low levels observed on 06-08 Apr and 11-12 Apr. Very low levels occurred on 10 Apr. Region 4409 (N02, L=158, class/area=Eai/190 on 07 Apr) was the most active region of the period, producing 11 C-class flares and the only M-class flare of the period, an impulsive M1.0/Sf at 09/0845 UTC. Region 4417 (S08, L=123, class/area=Dao/30 on 12 Apr) also contributed notable activity with 7 C-class flares after appearing quickly on 11 Apr near the West limb. Other activity included a C8.7/Sf flare from Region 4414 (N15, L=26, class/area Dro/30 on 08 Apr) at 08/1543 UTC, which was associated with Type III radio emissions and a weak CME without any Earth-directed components. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels throughout the reporting period. Flux levels reached a peak value of 10,679 pfu at 09/1605 UTC. Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels during the period. The beginning of the period (06-07 Apr) saw quiet to unsettled conditions as the influence of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (-CH HSS) continued to wane. From 10-12 Apr, quiet to active levels were observerd under the onset and influence of a positive polarity CH HSS (+CH HSS). Quiet conditions prevailed during all other days of the period under a nominal solar wind regime. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 April - 09 May 2026 Solar activity is expected to be at low levels, with a varying chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares and a slight chance for X-class (R3/Strong or greater) flares through 09 May. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit, barring any significant, non-recurrent solar activity. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 13-17 Apr, 19-24 Apr, 26-28 Apr, 30 Apr-05 May, and 08-09 May. Normal to moderate flux levels are expected on 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 29 Apr, and 06-07 May. Geomagnetic field activity is anticipated to reach G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) storm levels on 19 Apr and 29 Apr due to -CH HSS influences, and on 07 May due to +CH HSS influences. Active conditions are expected on 18 Apr, 20 Apr, and 30 Apr-01 May in response to -CH HSS effects, and on 15 Apr, 25 Apr, and 08 May due to +CH HSS effects. Mostly quiet to unsettled conditions are expected for all other days of the period. Space Weather Scales |
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| 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 Left Click Image for screen size, Right Click Image and open in new tab for full size. | |
| Daily Image AIA 171 | |
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| Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model | |
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| Daily Image AIA 193 | |
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| Daily Image AIA 304 | |
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| Daily Video AIA 171 | |
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| Daily Video AIA 171 PFSS Model | |
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| Daily Video AIA 193 | |
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| Daily Video AIA 304 | |
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| 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 Å 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. Left Click Image for screen size, Right Click Image and open in new tab for full size. | |
| Daily Image HMI Continuum | |
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| Daily Image HMI Magnetogram | |
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| Daily Video HMI Continuum | |
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| Daily Video HMI Magnetogram | |
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| 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. Left Click Image for screen size, Right Click Image and open in new tab for full size. | |
| Combined C2 C3 and AIA 304 | |
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| Log Polar View C2 C3 and AIA 304 | |
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| Combined C2 C3 and AIA 304 Video | |
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| Log Polar View C2 C3 and AIA 304 Video | |
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| Space Weather Videos | |
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| Space Weather Information | |
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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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