. Scientific Frontline: Space Weather

Space Weather


Warnings and Alerts
Issue Time: 2026 Apr 14 1137 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 3674
Begin Time: 2026 Apr 03 0920 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 1650 pfu

Potential Impacts: Satellite systems may experience significant charging resulting in increased risk to satellite systems.
Space Weather Scales
Current Condition and Alerts
Issued: 2026 Apr 14 1205 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Geophysical Alert Message

Solar-terrestrial indices for 13 April follow.
Solar flux 99 and estimated planetary A-index 3.
The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 14 April 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 Apr 14 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. Plage region 4414 (N15, L=025)
produced a C1.2 flare at 13/1137 UTC, the largest of the period. Regions
4415 (S18E05, Hsx/alpha) and 4416 (N19W24, Dsi/beta) exhibited decay
while remaining relatively quiet. Region 4418 (S11E07, Cro/beta)
underwent minor evolution as it gained additional spots and developed
rudimentary penumbra. Region 4419 (N13E71, Cso/beta) was observed on
the eastern limb and numbered. The CME observed in GOES CCOR-1
coronagraph imagery beginning at approximately 13/1900 UTC was
determined to have originated from beyond the southwestern limb and is
thus not Earth-directed.

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

Energetic Particle

.24 hr Summary...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at high levels with a peak flux
of 1,650 pfu at 13/1720 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at
background levels.

.Forecast...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is likely to reach high levels
through 16 Apr. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to
remain at background levels through 16 Apr.

Solar Wind

.24 hr Summary...
Solar wind parameters reflected waning positive polarity coronal hole
influences. Total magnetic field averaged near 5 nT and the Bz component
was near neutral or northward. Solar wind speeds underwent a gradual
decrease from near 500 km/s to near 400 km/s by the end of the period.
Phi was in a positive solar sector.

.Forecast...
Solar wind parameters are expected to remain mildly enhanced through 16
Apr due to tenuous CH HSS influences.

Geospace

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

.Forecast...
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on
14 Apr. Unsettled to active levels are expected on 15 Apr, with a chance
(25%) for isolated G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming periods, under
positive polarity CH HSS effects. Isolated unsettled levels are then
expected to continue into 16 Apr.
Space Weather Scales
Three Day Forecast
Issued: 2026 Apr 14 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 14-Apr 16 2026 is 4.00 (below NOAA
Scale levels).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Apr 14-Apr 16 2026

Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16
00-03UT 2.00 2.67 1.67
03-06UT 0.33 3.00 2.67
06-09UT 0.33 4.00 2.67
09-12UT 1.33 2.67 2.33
12-15UT 1.00 2.67 1.67
15-18UT 0.67 1.67 1.67
18-21UT 1.67 1.67 1.67
21-00UT 2.00 2.00 2.33

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 Apr 14-Apr 16 2026

Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16
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 14-Apr 16 2026

Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16
R1-R2 10% 10% 10%
R3 or greater 1% 1% 1%

Rationale: There is a slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio
blackouts on 14-16 Apr.
Space Weather Scales
Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
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
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)
171Ă… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Ă… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 193
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
193Ă… | corona and hot flare plasma | Fe XII, XXIV
Daily Image AIA 304
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
304Ă… | 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 Ă… 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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