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| Warnings and Alerts | |
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Issue Time: 2026 Apr 19 0849 UTC
EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Extension to Serial Number: 2226 Valid From: 2026 Apr 18 2348 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Apr 19 1800 UTC Warning Condition: Persistence Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Spacecraft - Minor impact on satellite operations possible. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine. Space Weather Scales |
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| Current Condition and Alerts | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 19 1205 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Geophysical Alert Message Solar-terrestrial indices for 18 April follow. Solar flux 106 and estimated planetary A-index 33. The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 19 April was 3.67. Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G2 level occurred. Space weather for the next 24 hours is predicted to be moderate. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G2 level are expected. Space Weather Scales |
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| Forecast Discussion | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 19 1230 UTC
Prepared
by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Solar Activity .24 hr Summary... Solar activity was at very low levels with only B-level enhancements observed. Region 4415 (S18W68, Hsx/alpha) remained unchanged and was unremarkable. Region 4419 (N13W06, Eso/beta-gamma) exhibited little change and remained mostly inactive during the period as well. No other Earth directed CMEs were observed in coronagraph imagery. .Forecast... Solar activity is likely to be low with a slight chance for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares on 19-21 Apr, primarily due to the flare potential of Region 4419. Energetic Particle .24 hr Summary... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate levels. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels. .Forecast... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to increase back to moderate to high levels on 19-21 Apr. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels on 19-21 Apr. Solar Wind .24 hr Summary... Solar wind parameters were enhanced throughout the period as CH HSS influence continued to dominate the solar wind environment. Total field ranged from 2-14 nT, the Bz component fluctuated between +9/-7 nT, and solar wind speeds varied between approximately 400-600 km/s. Phi was mostly in a negative orientation, with isolated oscillations into a positive position. .Forecast... Solar wind parameters are expected to remain enhanced on 19 Apr with continued negative polarity CH HSS influence. The enhanced conditions are expected to gradually taper off on 20-21 Apr as the CH HSS moves from its geoeffective position. Geospace .24 hr Summary... The geomagnetic field was predominantly at active to G1 (Minor) levels, with an isolated period of G2 (Moderate) storming. .Forecast... Active to G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are expected on 19 Apr as negative polarity CH HSS geomagnetic conditions persist. A return to unsettled to active conditions is expected on 20-21 Apr, as HSS effects diminish. Space Weather Scales |
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| Three Day Forecast | |
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Issued: 2026 Apr 19 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 6 (NOAA Scale G2). The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Apr 19-Apr 21 2026 is 5.67 (NOAA Scale G2). NOAA Kp index breakdown Apr 19-Apr 21 2026 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 00-03UT 3.67 3.67 3.33 03-06UT 4.67 (G1) 3.67 4.00 06-09UT 5.67 (G2) 3.33 3.00 09-12UT 3.67 3.33 2.67 12-15UT 5.67 (G2) 3.33 2.33 15-18UT 4.67 (G1) 2.00 3.00 18-21UT 3.00 3.33 2.67 21-00UT 4.00 3.33 2.33 Rationale: G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are expected on 19 Apr as negative polarity CH HSS geomagnetic conditions persist. 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 19-Apr 21 2026 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 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 19-Apr 21 2026 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 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 19-21 Apr, primarily 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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