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| Warnings and Alerts | |
| No Current Warnings Space Weather Scales | |
| Current Condition and Alerts | |
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Issued: 2026 Aug 17 1205 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Geophysical Alert Message Solar-terrestrial indices for 16 August follow. Solar flux 129 and estimated planetary A-index 4. The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 17 August 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 |
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| Forecast Discussion | |
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Issued: 2026 Aug 17 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 due to C-class activity observed from Regions 4506 (N12W53, Dso/beta), 4507 (N04W37, Eai/beta-gamma) and 4510 (N13W67, Hsx/alpha). The largest flare of the period was a C8.2/Sn observed at 16/1928 UTC from Region 4506. A slow moving CME was detected from this event, but was modelled and analyzed to not affect Earth. The remaining numbered active regions were either mostly stable or in gradual decay. .Forecast... Isolated C-class flares are expected through 19 Aug, with a slight chance (20%) for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts. Energetic Particle .24 hr Summary... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit remained at background levels. .Forecast... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is likely to remain at low to moderate levels 17-19 Aug. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to remain at background levels through 19 Aug. Solar Wind .24 hr Summary... Solar wind parameters reflected near-background conditions. Total magnetic field strength was at under 5 nT, but rose slightly to about 7 nT at 17/0800 UTC. The Bz component was at +/-5-6 nT. Solar wind speeds remained low, with speeds observed between ~290-335 km/s. Phi angle was in a mostly positive orientation. .Forecast... Enhancements in solar wind parameters from a CME that left the Sun over 14 Aug are likely over 17-18 Aug. A return to nominal conditions is expected on 19 Aug. Geospace .24 hr Summary... Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels. .Forecast... On Aug 17-18, unsettled to active levels, with a chance for G1 (Minor), is anticipated with the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 14 Aug. Mostly quiet levels are expected on 19 Aug. Space Weather Scales |
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| Three Day Forecast | |
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Issued: 2026 Aug 17 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 Aug 17-Aug 19 2026 is 4.00 (below NOAA Scale levels). NOAA Kp index breakdown Aug 17-Aug 19 2026 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 19 00-03UT 1.67 2.67 1.33 03-06UT 1.33 4.00 1.33 06-09UT 2.33 3.00 1.67 09-12UT 1.33 2.67 1.33 12-15UT 3.00 2.67 1.33 15-18UT 3.00 2.00 1.67 18-21UT 2.67 1.00 1.67 21-00UT 3.00 2.00 1.33 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 Aug 17-Aug 19 2026 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 19 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 Aug 17-Aug 19 2026 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 19 R1-R2 15% 15% 15% R3 or greater 1% 1% 1% Rationale: There is a slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts on 17-19 Aug. Space Weather Scales |
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| Weekly Highlights and Forecasts | |
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Issued: 2026 Aug 17 0058 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 10 - 16 August 2026 Solar activity ranged from very low to low levels throughout the period. No R1 (Minor) or greater events were observed. The largest flare was a C8.2/Sn at 16/1928 UTC from Region 4506 (N12, L=215, class/area=Dao/100 on 16 Aug). An associated CME was observed in LASCO C2 imagery following the C8.2 flare, but analysis is ongoing in order to determine any Earth-directed component. Other activity included the lift-off of avlarge filament near S16E22 at 14/0332 UTC which produced a CME that is expected to arrive on 17-18 Aug. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was normal to moderate levels throughout the period. Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet or quiet to unsettled levels throughout the period. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 August - 12 September 2026 Solar activity is expected to range from very low to low levels throughout the outlook period, with a slight chance for an R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) event. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 19-20, 23-24, and 28 Aug. Normal to moderate levels are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of the outlook period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 17-18 Aug due to the anticipated arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 14 Aug. Active conditions are expected again on 21-22 Aug and 04 Sep due to the influences of a CH HSS. Quiet and quiet to unsettled conditions are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of the outlook 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 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. |
