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| Warnings and Alerts | |
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Issue Time: 2026 Jul 19 2014 UTC
WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Jul 20: None (Below G1) Jul 21: None (Below G1) Jul 22: G1 (Minor) THIS SUPERSEDES ANY/ALL PRIOR WATCHES IN EFFECT Comment: 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 Jul 20 1205 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Geophysical Alert Message Solar-terrestrial indices for 19 July follow. Solar flux 119 and estimated planetary A-index 4. The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 20 July was 0.67. 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 Jul 20 1230 UTC
Prepared
by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Solar Activity .24 hr Summary... Solar activity remained at low levels, where the largest flare of the period was a C2.1/sf at 20/0746 UTC from newly numbered Region 4493 (N05E10, Dai/beta-gamma), which produced the majority of the periods flares and exhibited rapid flux emergence. Region 4492 (N15E59, Dac/beta-gamma) evolved greater magnetic complexity in its eastern area. The remaining regions were largely stable and quiet. A slow moving CME off the western limb was first noted in LASCO C2 coronagraph imagery at approximately 19/0430 UTC. Source location was difficult to determine. Large scale reconnection was observed in multiple SUVI wavelengths, starting around 19/0230Z near S11W33, however no prominent filament was identified. Initial analysis of this event indicated a miss ahead of Earth. However, additional modeling will be needed when STEREO data becomes available. .Forecast... Solar activity is likely to be at low levels on 20-22 Jul, with a chance for M-class flare activity. Energetic Particle .24 hr Summary... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels this period with a peak flux of 1,174 pfu at 19/1830 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was steady at background levels. .Forecast... The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 20 Jul, then return to normal to moderate levels on 21-22 Jul. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels through 22 Jul. Solar Wind .24 hr Summary... Solar wind parameters continued at background levels. Total magnetic field strength averaged 4 nT, the Bz component ranged between +/- 4 nT, and solar wind speeds were largely below 300 km/s. Phi was predominantly in a positive orientation. .Forecast... Background solar wind conditions are expected to prevail on 20 Jul through early 21 Jul. Late on 21 Jul, a CIR ahead of a negative polarity CH HSS is likely to move into a geoeffective position, bringing enhancements to the solar wind environment. Further enhancements are likely on 22 Jul as the CIR passes with the onset of the HSS. Geospace .24 hr Summary... The geomagnetic field was quiet under an ambient solar wind environment. .Forecast... The geomagnetic field is expected to persist at quiet levels on 20 Jul and most of 21 Jul. By late on 21 Jul, unsettled to active conditions are likely, with a chance for G1 (Minor) levels near the end of the period. By 22 Jul, unsettled to active periods are expected, with G1 (Minor) storm levels likely as the negative CH HSS moves into a geoeffective position. Space Weather Scales |
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| Three Day Forecast | |
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Issued: 2026 Jul 20 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 Jul 20-Jul 22 2026 is 5.00 (NOAA Scale G1). NOAA Kp index breakdown Jul 20-Jul 22 2026 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 22 00-03UT 0.67 1.33 4.00 03-06UT 0.67 2.00 4.00 06-09UT 2.00 2.00 4.00 09-12UT 1.33 1.33 4.33 12-15UT 1.67 1.33 5.00 (G1) 15-18UT 0.67 2.33 5.00 (G1) 18-21UT 0.67 3.00 4.67 (G1) 21-00UT 1.33 4.00 4.33 Rationale: G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are expected on 22 Jul due to the anticipated arrival of a CIR ahead of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. 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 Jul 20-Jul 22 2026 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 22 S1 or greater 1% 1% 1% Rationale: No S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms are expected through 22 Jul. C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours. Radio Blackout Forecast for Jul 20-Jul 22 2026 Jul 20 Jul 21 Jul 22 R1-R2 25% 25% 25% R3 or greater 1% 1% 1% Rationale: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts through 22 Jul, largely due to the active regions in the northeast. Space Weather Scales |
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| Weekly Highlights and Forecasts | |
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Issued: 2026 Jul 20 0157 UTC
Prepared
by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction
Center
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 - 19 July 2026 Solar activity was at low levels. No R1 (Minor) events were observed. The strongest flare observed was a C8.9 flare from Region 4491 (S11, L=155, class/area=Hrx/020 on 17 Jul). The other eight active regions were either quiet or only produced low-level C-class activity. Other activity included an area of large-scare reconnection in the SW quadrant early on 19 Jul. A double ribbon signature was observed in multiple SUVI wavelengths. Subsequent LASCO C2 imagery contained a slow-moving CME signature to the west that lined up well with the event's timing. No active regions or filaments were identified as sources for the eruption. Most of the ejecta is expected to pass upstream of Earth; however, given its source location on the Sun, a glancing blow is possible on days three or four (23-24 Jul). No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 13 Jul and dropped to moderate levels over 14-15 Jul following activity from a passing CME. Coronal hole activity on 15-16 Jul increased levels to high from 16-19 Jul. Geomagnetic field activity reached active levels on 13 Jul due to waning CME effects. Active levels on 25 Jul and unsettled levels on 16 Jul were in response to influence from a weak positive polarity CH HSS. The remainder of the summary period was at quiet levels. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 July - 15 August 2026 Solar activity is expected to be at mostly low levels, with a slight chance for moderate (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) activity, throughout the outlook period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is are likely to reach high levels over 24-27 Jul and 02-07 Aug due to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent, coronal hole HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at mostly quiet levels. Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels on 22 Jul as a negative polarity CH HSS becomes geoeffective. Conditions are likely to decrease to active on 23 Jul and unsettled on 24 Jul as coronal influence wanes. Subsequent coronal holes are likely to cause active conditions on 01 Aug and 04-05 Aug, with unsettled levels likely over 02 Aug and 06 Aug. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to observed mostly quiet conditions. 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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