The NW7US Beacon

Here is the current forecast discussion on space weather and geophysical activity, issued 2018 Mar 09 1230 UTC.

Solar activity remained very low under a spotless solar disk. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

Forecast: Solar activity is expected to be very low throughout the forecast period (09-11 Mar).

Energetic Particles

24 hr Summary: The greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at normal levels and the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels.

Forecast: The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be at normal to moderate levels throughout the forecast period (09-11 Mar). The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels.

Solar Wind

24 hr Summary: Solar wind parameters, as measured by the DSCOVR spacecraft, indicated a slightly disturbed environment. Nominal conditions were observed until around 08/2310 UTC, when a minor enhancement in total magnetic field strength began, peaking at 8 nT by 09/0215 UTC. The Bz component was variable with a maximum southward value of -6 at 09/0120 UTC. A small increase in solar wind speed was observed after 08/2300 to nearly 370 km/s and a further increase was noted after 09/0700 UTC to a peak of 427 km/s at 09/0715 UTC. Phi angle was variable throughout the period.

Forecast: Weak enhancements in the solar wind parameters are likely to continue through 10 Mar. A return to ambient conditions is expected by 11 Mar.

Geospace

24 hr Summary: The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled.

Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on 09-10 Mar, with isolated active periods possible on 09 Mar, due to minor solar wind enhancements. A return to quiet conditions is forecast for 11 Mar as a nominal solar wind regime is expected return.

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