|
|
| Warnings and Alerts | |
| No Current Warnings Space Weather Scales | |
| Current Condition and Alerts | |
|
Issued: 2026 Jan 13 1205 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Geophysical Alert Message Solar-terrestrial indices for 12 January follow. Solar flux 113 and estimated planetary A-index 18. The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 13 January was 2.33. 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 Jan 13 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. Region 4336 (S09W32, Eho/beta) was stable and unremarkable. Region 4340 (N13E24, Dao/beta) continued to exhibit growth while Region 4334 (S16W64, Hrx/alpha) continued to decay during the period. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery. .Forecast... Solar activity levels are expected to be low with a chance (25%) for M-class flares (R1/R2, Minor/Moderate) over 13-15 Jan. Energetic Particle .24 hr Summary... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux crossed the high level threshold at 12/1040 UTC and reached a peak flux of 2,380 pfu at 12/1740 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels, with a slight enhancement after 12/1800 UTC. .Forecast... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue to reach high levels, with the greater than 10 MeV proton flux expected to remain below threshold, over 13-15 Jan. Solar Wind .24 hr Summary... Solar wind parameters reflected influence from the HSS associated with a negative polarity CH (located at the north-western solar quadrant). Total magnetic field strength (Bt) averaged 7-8 nT, with the Bz (north-south) component sustaining a negative (south) for most of the reporting period, reaching a max of -7 nT. Solar wind speeds were steady near 550 km/s. Phi angle was negative. .Forecast... Elevated solar wind parameters are expected to continue through 14 Jan as -CH HSS influence becomes the dominant feature in the solar wind near Earth. On 15 Jan, this forcing is expected to diminish, allowing the solar wind parameters to start returning to nominal levels. Geospace .24 hr Summary... The geomagnetic activity was quiet to active during the period, reflecting the -CH HSS effects near Earth. .Forecast... Active geomagnetic activity levels are likely over 13-14 Jan due to the -CH HSS influences. On 15 Jan, unsettled levels are likely, reflecting the waning influence of this feature. Space Weather Scales |
|
| Three Day Forecast | |
|
Issued: 2026 Jan 13 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 4 (below NOAA Scale levels). The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Jan 13-Jan 15 2026 is 4.00 (below NOAA Scale levels). NOAA Kp index breakdown Jan 13-Jan 15 2026 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 00-03UT 3.67 3.67 2.33 03-06UT 2.67 3.00 3.00 06-09UT 1.67 3.00 2.00 09-12UT 2.00 2.67 2.00 12-15UT 3.00 2.00 1.67 15-18UT 4.00 2.33 2.00 18-21UT 4.00 2.00 2.00 21-00UT 3.67 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 Jan 13-Jan 15 2026 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 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 Jan 13-Jan 15 2026 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 R1-R2 25% 25% 25% R3 or greater 1% 1% 1% Rationale: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts on 13-15 Jan. Space Weather Scales |
|
| Weekly Highlights and Forecasts | |
|
Issued: 2026 Jan 12 0311 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 05 - 11 January 2026 Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels. Forty-five weak to middle level C-class activity was observed from various regions on the disk during the period. A majority of the activity was observed from Regions 4334 (S16, L=200, class/area Dao/150 on 08 Jan), 4336 (S10, L=166, class/area Eko/430 on 09 Jan) and 4337 (N25, L=243, class/area Dao/020 on 08 Jan). At 11/2314 UTC, a long-duration M3.3 (R1-Minor) flare was observed from behind the ESE limb. Several potential Earth-directed CMEs were observed leaving the Sun on 08 Jan with possible impact on late 10 Jan to early on 11 Jan. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels on 05, 08, 09 and 11 Jan with high levels observed on 06, 07 and 10 Jan. A peak flux of 2,507 pfu was observed on 10/1635 UTC. Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels on 05 Jan in response to declining CH HSS influence. Quiet levels were observed on 06 and 07 Jan. Quiet to active levels were observed on 08, 09 and early 10 Jan due to CH HSS influence. Activity levels increased to G1 (Minor) to G2 (Moderate) activity levels during late 10 Jan through 11 Jan due to CME effects from the 08 Jan CME coupled with CH HSS effects. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 12 January - 07 February 2026 Solar activity is likely to remain at low levels, with a chance for R1 (Minor) conditions and a slight chance for R2/R3 (Moderate/Strong) over the next forecast period due to multiple regions on the visible disk as well as regions expected to return. 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 12, 14-15, 21-27 and 30-31 Jan and 01-03 and 05-07 Feb due to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent coronal holes. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to be at normal to moderate levels. Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels on 12 and 29 Jan; unsettled to active levels on 13-16, 19-23, 27-28, 30-31 Jan and 04-07 Feb. All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to mostly quiet. 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 | |
 |
|
| Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model | |
 |
|
| Daily Image AIA 193 | |
 |
|
| Daily Image AIA 304 | |
 |
|
| 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 | |
 |
|
| 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. |
.jpg)