Major magnetic storm in progress
The Watchers - EYE
Region 11164 developed rapidly and has again become a complex region with a magnetic delta structure in a central penumbra. The background xray flux has increased quickly because of the development in this region. There’s a fair chance of a major flare, even an X class flare is possible.
NASA space physicist James Spann photographed the display from Poker Flats, Alaska, where he is attending a scientific conference about auroras
K5 Storm In Effect Now
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
Serial Number: 651
Issue Time: 2011 Mar 01 1320 UTC
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2011 Mar 01 1321 UTC
Synoptic Period: 1200-1500 UTC
Station: Boulder
Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G1 – Minor
EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected
Extension to Serial Number: 1696
Valid From: 2011 Mar 01 0845 UTC
Now Valid Until: 2011 Mar 02 1600 UTC
Warning Condition: Persistence
Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is
expected to be predominantly unsettled with a chance for active
conditions over the next three days (2-4 March). A slight chance
for isolated minor storm periods exists on days one and two (2-3
March).
Moderate
Power systems: high-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms, long-duration storms may cause transformer damage.
Spacecraft operations: corrective actions to orientation may be required by ground control; possible changes in drag affect orbit predictions.
Other systems: HF radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes, and aurora has been seen as low as New York and Idaho (typically 55° geomagnetic lat.)**.
PRESTO FROM SIDC – RWC BELGIUM Tue Mar 1 2011, 2040 UT
Major magnetic storm in progress. Current geomagnetic conditions at planetary levels reached major storm level with a Kp of 6 between 1500 and 1800 UT. Minor storm conditions were observed between 1200 and 1500 UT.
March 2, 2011
VIEW VIDEO
http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2011/03/02/major-magnetic-storm-in-progress/