. Scientific Frontline: Space Weather

Space Weather


Warnings and Alerts
No Current Warnings
Space Weather Scales
Current Condition and Alerts
Issued: 2026 Jun 22 1205 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Geophysical Alert Message

Solar-terrestrial indices for 21 June follow.
Solar flux 128 and estimated planetary A-index 5.
The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 22 June was 1.67.

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate.
Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level occurred.

No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.
Space Weather Scales
Forecast Discussion
Issued: 2026 Jun 22 1230 UTC
Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Solar Activity

.24 hr Summary...
Solar activity reached high levels. Region 4473 (S08E52, Fai/beta-gamma)
produced an M6.8/2b flare (R2-Moderate) at 21/1929 UTC, with an
associated Type-II radio sweep (est. 380 km/s); the strongest of the
period. Regions 4472 (S13E34, Dao/beta) and 4473 exhibited minor growth,
and new Region 4474 (N03W70, Cao/beta) was numbered. No Earth-directed
CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

.Forecast...
Solar activity is expected to continue at predominately low levels on
22-24 Jun, with a chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares due
primarily to the flare potential of Region 4473.

Energetic Particle

.24 hr Summary...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at normal to moderate levels.
The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels.

.Forecast...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue at normal
to moderate levels over 22-24 Jun. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux
is expected to persist at background levels through 24 Jun.

Solar Wind

.24 hr Summary...
Solar wind parameters were at background levels this period. Total
magnetic field strength was at or below 6 nT. No significant periods of
southward Bz were observed. Solar wind speeds varied between ~390-330
km/s.

.Forecast...
Background solar wind conditions are expected to prevail over 22-23 Jun.
Enhanced conditions are expected on 24 Jun due to the anticipated onset
of negative polarity CH HSS influences.

Geospace

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

.Forecast...
The geomagnetic field is expected to continue at mostly quiet levels
over 22-23 Jun. Periods of active conditions are likely on 24 Jun due to
the anticipated onset of negative polarity CH HSS influences.
Space Weather Scales
Three Day Forecast
Issued: 2026 Jun 22 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 1 (below NOAA
Scale levels).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Jun 22-Jun 24 2026 is 3.67 (below NOAA
Scale levels).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Jun 22-Jun 24 2026

Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24
00-03UT 1.33 1.67 1.67
03-06UT 1.00 2.00 2.33
06-09UT 1.00 1.67 1.67
09-12UT 1.67 1.33 1.67
12-15UT 1.00 1.33 2.67
15-18UT 1.00 0.67 2.67
18-21UT 0.67 1.00 3.67
21-00UT 1.67 1.67 3.67

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 22-Jun 24 2026

Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24
S1 or greater 5% 5% 5%

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

Radio blackouts reaching the R2 levels were observed over the past 24
hours. The largest was at Jun 21 2026 1929 UTC.

Radio Blackout Forecast for Jun 22-Jun 24 2026

Jun 22 Jun 23 Jun 24
R1-R2 40% 40% 40%
R3 or greater 5% 5% 5%

Rationale: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts
over 22-24 Jun due primarily to the flare potential of Region 4473.
Space Weather Scales
Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Issued: 2026 Jun 22 0229 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
15 - 21 June 2026

Solar activity was at low levels on 15-19 Jun with a total of 19
C-class flares, moderate levels on 20-21 Jun with three M-class (M5
or below) flares, and high levels on 22 Jun with an isolated M6.8
flare. Three out of the four M-class flares originated from Region
4473 (S08, L=133, class/area=Eko/270 on 20 Jun). These included: an
M1.0 at 20/1500 UTC, an M2.6 at 21/0246 UTC, and the M6.8/2b flare
at 21/1929 UTC (the largest of the period). Region 4472 (S14, L=149,
class/area=Dao/100 on 20 Jun) added the remaining M-flare, an M1.3
at 20/0151 UTC.

Notable activity included a small filament eruption, a pair of
type-II radio sweeps, and a couple of CMEs. The filament eruption
was centered near S20E20 and began after 19/0300 UTC. A faint,
slow-moving CME signature appeared in STEREO-A COR2 imagery but was
not apparent in other available coronagraph imagery. Analysis and
modeling of the event indicated most of the ejecta will likely miss
behind Earth's orbit, with a slight possibility of a portion
grazing Earth by mid to late on 23 Jun. Additional CMEs were
observed early in the period, but none appeared to have an
Earth-directed component. The aforementioned radio sweeps were
relatively slow moving. The first was at 20/0407 UTC, with an
estimated velocity of 300 km/s, likely associated with a C1.4 flare
that occurred at 20/0307 UTC from Region 4470 (N06, L=188,
class/area=Dao/90 on 19 Jun). The second was at 21/1932 UTC, with an
estimated velocity of 380 km/s, likely associated with the M6.8/2b
flare. A CME associated with the C1.4 flare was analyzed and
determined to not have an Earth-directed component. A CME was also
likely associated with the M6.8 flare, but analysis was pending as
of this writing.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels on 15,16, and 18 Jun, with a peak flux of 2,043 pfu at
16/1525 UTC. Flux levels were at low to moderate levels on 17and
19-21 Jun.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels
throughout the period (15-21 Jun) under near-background conditions.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
22 June - 18 July 2026

Solar activity is expected to continue at predominately low levels
on 22 Jun- 24 Jun, with an increasing chance for M-class
(R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares due primarily to the flare potential
of Region 4473 (S08, L=133, class/area=Eko/270 on 20 Jun).
Additional chances for M- and X- class flares are likely after 30
Jun with the anticipated return of Region 4463 (N16, L=339,
class/area=Hsx/70 on 10 Jun).

<div> Chances for an S1 or greater proton event increase after 24
Jun as additional magnetically complex active regions are
snticipated to return to the visible disk.</div> The greater than 2
MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at
moderate levels on 22 Jun-03 Jul, 08-09 Jul, and 13-18 Jul. High
levels are likely on 05-07 Jul and 10-13 Jul with elevated wind
speeds associated with coronal hole high speed streams.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to unsettled
levels on 22-24 Jun, 27 Jun - 02 Jul, 04-07 Jul, 09-18 Jul. Isolated
active periods are possible on 25-26 Jun, 03 Jul, and 15 Jul in
response to recurrent, weak 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
Left Click Image for screen size, Right Click Image and open in new tab for full size.
Daily Image AIA 171
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Å | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Å | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 193
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
193Å | corona and hot flare plasma | Fe XII, XXIV
Daily Image AIA 304
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
304Å | 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 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
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.
Left Click Image for screen size, Right Click Image and open in new tab for full size.
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.



Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact Us

Featured Article

What Is: Enteric Nervous System: The Second Brain

Scientific Frontline: Extended "At a Glance" Summary: The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) The Core Concept : The Enteric Nervous Syst...

Top Viewed Articles