. Scientific Frontline: Space Weather

Space Weather


Warnings and Alerts
Issue Time: 2026 Jan 30 0459 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 3614
Begin Time: 2026 Jan 21 0950 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 8017 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 Jan 30 1205 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Geophysical Alert Message

Solar-terrestrial indices for 29 January follow.
Solar flux 129 and estimated planetary A-index 22.
The estimated planetary K-index at 1200 UTC on 30 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 30 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 4357 (S13W47, Cro/beta)
exhibted decay in its intermediate and trailing spots. Regions 4364
(S17W26, Axx/alpha) and 4365 (N28W05, Axx/alpha) were numbered this
period and were both the culprits for low level C-class flare activity.
A possible new spot near the northeast limb was responsible for low
level C-class flare activity as well, but remained unnumbered given a
lack of observations. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available
coronagraph imagery.

.Forecast...
Solar activity is expected to be low with a slight chance for M-class
flares (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) through 01 Feb.

Energetic Particle

.24 hr Summary...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels with a peak
flux of 8,020 pfu observed at 30/0005 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV
proton flux was below the S1 (Minor) threshold.

.Forecast...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue at moderate
to high levels through 01 Feb. The greater than 10 MeV proton
flux is expected to remain at or near background levels through 01 Feb.

Solar Wind

.24 hr Summary...
Solar wind parameters reflected negative polarity CH HSS conditions.
Total field ranged 3-6 nT and the Bz component of the IMF was +/- 5 nT.
Solar wind speed decreased from near 700 km/s to just under 550 km/s by
the end of the period. Phi was predominantly in a negative (Towards)
solar sector.

.Forecast...
The current solar wind regime is expected to continue through 31 Jan
before returning to a more ambient-like state.

Geospace

.24 hr Summary...
The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels.

.Forecast...
Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected to continue through 31 Jan
under negative polarity CH HSS effects. Mostly quiet conditions are
expected to prevail on 01 Feb.
Space Weather Scales
Three Day Forecast
Issued: 2026 Jan 30 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 30-Feb 01 2026 is 3.67 (below NOAA
Scale levels).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Jan 30-Feb 01 2026

Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 01
00-03UT 3.67 2.67 1.67
03-06UT 3.00 2.67 1.67
06-09UT 2.33 2.00 1.67
09-12UT 2.33 2.00 1.33
12-15UT 1.67 1.67 1.33
15-18UT 2.33 1.33 1.33
18-21UT 2.67 2.00 1.33
21-00UT 2.67 2.33 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 Jan 30-Feb 01 2026

Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 01
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 30-Feb 01 2026

Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 01
R1-R2 15% 10% 10%
R3 or greater 1% 1% 1%

Rationale: A slight chance for R1-2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts due
to isolated M-class activity will presist through 04 Feb.
Space Weather Scales
Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Issued: 2026 Jan 26 0257 UTC
Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
19 - 25 January 2026

Solar activity reached moderate levels on 19 and 21 Jan with three
M-class flares (R1-Minor) observed. Region 4345 (S17, L=39,
class/area=Esi/160 on 24 Jan) produced an M1.1 flare at 19/1119 UTC
and an M1.1/Sf flare at 21/0135 UTC. Region 4349 (S14, L=336,
class/area=Dso/230 on 25 Jan) produced an M3.4/1b flare at 21/0712
UTC, the strongest flare of the week. No Earth-directed CMEs were
observed in association with flare activity from 19-25 Jan.

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux reached S4 (Severe) storm levels
on 19 Jan, decreased to S2 (Moderate) levels on 20 Jan, and remained
at S1 (Minor) levels on 21-22 Jan following an X1.9/3b flare from
Region 4341 that peaked at 18/1809 UTC. Proton fluxes gradually
declined over 23-25 Jan.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels on 19 and 21-25 Jan, with normal to moderate levels
observed on 20 Jan.

Geomagnetic field activity reached G4 (Severe) storm levels on 19-20
Jan and G3 (Strong) levels on 21 Jan following the arrival of a halo
CME associated with the X1.9/3b flare at 18/1809 UTC from Region
4341. G1 (Minor) storming was observed on 22 Jan due to lingering
CME effects and the onset of positive polarity CH HSS influences.
Active conditions were observed on 23-24 Jan, with quiet to
unsettled levels observed on 25 Jan, in response to continued
positive polarity CH HSS influences.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
26 January - 21 February 2026

Solar activity is expected to be predominately low with a varying
chance for M-class flares (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) through 21 Feb.

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 26, 28-31 Jan and 01-03, 06-12,
15-21 Feb. Normal to moderate flux levels are expected to persist
through the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach G1 (Minor) storm
levels on 28 Jan and 13 Feb, with active periods likely on 29 Jan
and 04-05, 14-21 Feb, due to the influences of multiple, recurrent
CH HSSs. Quiet and quiet-to-unsettled conditions are expected to
prevail throughout the remainder of the outlook 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)
171Ã… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 171 PFSS Model
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
171Ã… | quiet corona, upper transition region | Fe IX
Daily Image AIA 193
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
193Ã… | corona and hot flare plasma | Fe XII, XXIV
Daily Image AIA 304
Channel | Region of atmosphere | Primary ion(s)
304Ã… | 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 Ã… 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
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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