[Ips-dsgr] ASWFC Daily Report - 25 March 24 issued 2331 UT on 25 Mar 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Regional Warning Centre rwc at ips.gov.au
Tue Mar 26 10:31:05 EST 2024


SUBJ: ASWFC DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 2330UT/25 MARCH 2024
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE
SUMMARY FOR 25 MARCH AND FORECAST FOR 26 MARCH - 28 MARCH
STATUS INDICATORS SOL:** RED **   MAG:GREEN     ION: GREEN
ASWAS SCALE DESCRIPTION: https://bit.ly/3lmaMBx
-----------------------------------------------------------
1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity 25 Mar:  R1

Flares    Max     Fadeout    Freq.  Sectors
  M4.4    0644UT  possible   lower  Mid East/Indian

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 25 Mar: 190/143


1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             26 Mar             27 Mar             28 Mar
Activity     R1-R2, chance R3   R1-R2, chance R3   R1-R2, chance R3
Fadeouts     Probable           Probable           Probable
10.7cm/SSN   195/147            200/152            200/152

COMMENT: Solar activity on UT day 25-Mar was at the R1 level 
due to an M4.4 flare at 25/0644UT produced by AR3615 (S13W27, 
beta-gamma-delta). There are currently seven numbered sunspot 
regions on the solar disk. Most of these are small and magnetically 
simple despite some growth in the case of AR3619 (N19E07, beta) 
and AR3621 (N15E65, beta). By far the most significant sunspot 
region is AR3615 which is large and magnetically complex, with 
two visible delta spots, has produced the vast majority of M-class 
flares over the previous few days, is currently in a geoeffective 
location and continues to show growth. All other sunspot groups 
were stable on 25-Mar. 

Solar activity over 26-28 Mar is expected 
to be at R1-R2 levels, with a chance of R3, predominantly due 
to AR3615. S1 solar radiation conditions were observed on 25-Mar 
following the S2 event on 23-24 Mar. The >10 MeV proton flux 
remains enhanced but in decline. S0 conditions are expected over 
26-28 Mar, however there is a chance of S1 conditions, especially 
if significant flaring activity occurs from AR3615 as it approaches 
the western limb. 

No significantly geoeffective CMEs were observed 
on UT day 25-Mar. A narrow, west directed CME was observed in 
SOHO and STEREO-A imagery from 25/0125UT. Coronal movement over 
the western limb is visible from 25/0037UT between S00 and S30 
in SDO and GOES SUVI imagery. This CME is considered far side 
and not geoeffective. An eruption on the disk at around N12E02 
from 25/0737UT is visible in SDO, GOES SUVI and H-Alpha imagery. 
However no associated CME is visible in available coronagraph 
imagery. A northeast directed CME is visible from 25/1512UT in 
SOHO and STEREO-A imagery. This event is associated with an eruption 
at around N18E51, visible from 25/1416UT in SDO, GOES SUVI and 
H-Alpha imagery. Modelling suggests the majority of the ejecta 
from this event will pass behind the Earth, but there is a chance 
of a weak glancing impact on 30-Mar at 0100UT +/- 12 hours. 

The 
solar wind speed was in decline over UT day 25-Mar, ranging from 
837 km/s to 583 km/s and is currently at around 610 km/s. The 
peak total interplanetary field strength (IMF, Bt) reached 27 
nT and the north-south IMF component (Bz) was 23 nT to -13 nT. 
Bz was predominantly northward for the entire UT day 25-Mar. 
The IMF maximum values were observed in the first part of the 
day and have since recovered to a maximum Bt of around 7 nT with 
Bz ranging from 6 to -4 nT. The solar wind speed is expected 
to continue to decline towards background levels and remain there 
over 26-28 Mar as CME and coronal hole high speed wind stream 
effects wane.

-----------------------------------------------------------
2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY

Geomagnetic field for Australian Region 25 Mar: G1

Estimated Indices 25 Mar : A   K           
   Australian Region      22   45444321
      Darwin              24   55444221
      Townsville          32   56454322
      Learmonth           31   55455322
      Alice Springs       22   45444321
      Gingin              22   45444222
      Canberra            22   45444321
      Kennaook Cape Grim  20   35444320
      Hobart              18   35433321    

Estimated Antarctic Regional K Indices 25 Mar :
      Macquarie Island    29   45454520
      Casey               39   66643323
      Mawson              27   55543332

Observed Regional daily pc3 Indices 25 Mar : 
      Darwin              13   (Quiet)
      Townsville          30   (Quiet to unsettled)
      Learmonth           69   (Active)
      Alice Springs       50   (Unsettled)
      Gingin              NA
      Canberra           174   (Severe storm)

Pc3 pulsations are high frequency (10-45 second period) variations 
of the Earths magnetic field. Daily pc3-indices are the daily sum 
of 20 minute pc3-indices for that station and have been shown to be
well correlated with rejection of high resolution aeromagnetic
survey flight-line data. 

NOTE: Indices may have been generated from data obtained in 
cooperation with the following organisations: Geoscience Australia, 
University of Newcastle Space Physics Group, Australian Government 
Antarctic Division and International Center for Space Weather 
Science and Education, Japan.


Estimated AFr/Ap Indices 25 Mar : A 
           Fredericksburg        23
           Planetary             39                         

Observed AFr/Ap Indices 24 Mar :  A   K
           Fredericksburg        43
           Planetary             93   4344 5984     


2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST 
Date      Ap    Conditions
26 Mar    14    G0, chance of G1
27 Mar     8    G0
28 Mar     5    G0

COMMENT: ASWFC Geomagnetic Warning 12 was issued on 23 March 
and is current for 24-26 Mar. Geomagnetic conditions in the planetary 
and Australian regions were at the G1 level, with a period of 
G2 observed at Townsville. Mostly G1 conditions were observed 
in the Antarctic region, with G2 conditions observed at Casey. 
Geomagnetic conditions eased over the day at all locations. G0 
geomagnetic conditions, with a chance of G1 are expected on 26-Mar 
as CME and coronal hole high speed wind stream effects wane. 
G0 conditions are expected over 27-28 Mar.

-----------------------------------------------------------
3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
	            Latitude Band
Date        Low            Middle         High 
25 Mar      Poor-fair      Poor-fair      Fair-poor      

PCA Event : 10MeV Proton/PCA Event Began at 0805UT 23/03, Ended at 1405UT 25/03

3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
	            Latitude Band
Date        Low            Middle         High 
26 Mar      Normal-fair    Normal-fair    Fair
27 Mar      Normal         Normal         Normal-fair
28 Mar      Normal         Normal         Normal

COMMENT: HF radio communications on UT day 25-Mar were poor to 
fair, with the worst conditions observed in the first half of 
the UT day as conditions eased over the day. Polar cap absorption 
(PCA) contributed to poor conditions in high latitudes for the 
first half of the UT day. Mild degradations in HF propagation 
conditions are expected on 26-Mar, with the worst conditions 
expected in the first part of the day and at higher latitudes. 
Conditions are expected to have eased to mostly normal and remain 
at this level over 27-28 Mar. Shortwave fadeouts are probable.

-----------------------------------------------------------
4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY


Date   T index
25 Mar    94

Observed Australian Regional MUFs
   Cocos Island Region:
      Enhanced by 20% during local day.
      Near predicted monthly values during local night.
      Enhanced by 45% after local dawn.
   Niue Island Region:
      Near predicted monthly values.
   Northern Australian Region:
      Near predicted monthly values during local day.
      Enhanced by 15% during local night.
   Southern Australian Region:
      Depressed by 25% during local day.
      Depressed by 20% during local night.
      Depressed by 20% after local dawn.
   Antarctic Region (Casey/Davis/Mawson):
      Depressed by 30% over the UT day.

Monthly T index:
Month  T index
Feb      138
Mar      111
Apr      112

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
Date   T index  MUFs
26 Mar   100    Near predicted monthly values/depressed 5 to 
                10%
27 Mar   110    Near predicted monthly values
28 Mar   120    Near predicted monthly values

COMMENT: ASWFC SWF HF Communications Warning 31 was issued on 
23 March and is current for 24-26 Mar. ASWFC HF Communications 
Warning 32 was issued on 24 March and is current for 24-26 Mar. 
Maximum usable frequencies (MUFs) on UT day 25-Mar were near 
predicted monthly values in the northern Australian region, with 
enhancements observed during local night. MUFs in the southern 
Australian region were depressed throughout 25-Mar, with some 
sign of recovery near the end of the UT-day. Sporadic E was observed 
at Brisbane and Canberra and spread F was observed at Canberra 
and Hobart, disrupting HF communication conditions. A polar cap 
absorption event (PCA) was present in the first half of 25-Mar 
and affected ionospheric conditions in the polar regions. MUFs 
are expected to be near predicted monthly values over 26-28 Mar, 
with mild depressions possible in the southern Australian region 
as conditions ease following recent geomagnetic activity. Shortwave 
fadeouts are probable.

-----------------------------------------------------------
5. SPACE ENVIRONMENT SUMMARY

GOES satellite data for 24 Mar
       Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV:   1.1E+09
       Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV:  2.6E+07
       Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 1.60E+06   (normal fluence)
Electron Fluence Daily Deep Dielectric Discharge Probability: 1%
Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day.
       X-ray background: C2.7

DSCOVR Satellite Solar Wind Day Averaged Data for 24 Mar
Speed: 532 km/sec  Density:   12.5 p/cc  Temp:   311000 K  Bz:   2 nT

(Courtesy Space Weather Prediction Center, Boulder USA)
-----------------------------------------------------------

Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
ASWFC at bom.gov.au
www.bom.gov.au | www.sws.bom.gov.au



More information about the ips-dsgr mailing list