Status Report

NOAA SEC Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 6 Nov 2001

By SpaceRef Editor
November 6, 2001
Filed under , ,
:Product: Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity
:Issued: 2001 Nov 06 2200 UT
# Prepared jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA,
#Space Environment Center and the U.S. Air Force.
#
Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 310 Issued at 2200Z on 06 Nov 2001
IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from  05/2100Z
to 06/2100Z:  Solar activity was at moderate levels. Four M-class
events were reported during the period. Region 9687 (S20E08)
produced the largest event, an M2/1b flare at 06/0300 UTC. This
event also had an accompanying Type II radio sweep (velocity
estimated at 600 km/s). Region 9687 developed into a complex
beta-gamma-delta magnetic classification during the period. Region
9690 was by far, the most active region on the disk today. It
produced several C-class events and two minor M-class events. Region
9690 has fully rotated onto the disk and appears to be a moderately
large region (750 millionths) with a beta-gamma magnetic
classification. Region 9684 (N06W55), which produced the X1/3b
proton flare on 04 November, retains a beta-gamma-delta magnetic
classification, but did not produce any significant activity during
the period.
IB.  Solar Activity Forecast:  Solar activity is expected to continue
to be moderate to high. Regions 9684, 9687, and 9690 all possess
major flare potential.
IIA.  Geophysical Activity Summary 05/2100Z to 06/2100Z:
The geomagnetic field was at unsettled to severe storm conditions.
The full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from the 04 November event
impacted the geomagnetic field at 06/0150 UTC. This was indicated by
a 90 nT sudden impulse as measured by the USGS Boulder magnetometer.
Severe geomagnetic storming occurred between 06/0000 and 06/0600 UTC
and 15-1800 UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton event peaked at
31,700 pfu at 06/0215 UTC. The greater than 100 MeV proton event
peaked at 253 pfu at 06/0220 UTC. Both proton events levels declined
sharply during the period but continued through the end of the day.
A polar cap absorption event remained in effect.
IIB.  Geophysical Activity Forecast:  The geomagnetic field is
expected to be unsettled to minor storm conditions on the first day
of the period and then declining to mostly quiet to unsettled, with
isolated active conditions possible, on days two and three. However,
there have been several long and near long duration flares in the
last two days that could have produced earth-directed coronal mass
ejections. Since the onset of the proton storm at approximately 1700
UTC on 04 November, the LASCO instrument has been saturated by the
particles and it is nearly impossible to determine if any CME's have
been produced or if they are earth-directed. Impacts from any
earth-directed CME's would obviously cause an increase in
geomagnetic activity. The greater than 100 MeV proton event is
expected to continue until approximately 07/1200 UTC. The greater
than 10 MeV proton event ended the day at 567 pfu and is expected to
continue for at least another 24 hours. The Polar cap absorption
event is expected to last until 09/0000 UTC.
III.  Event Probabilities 07 Nov-09 Nov
Class M    80/80/80
Class X    25/25/25
Proton     99/99/80
PCAF       in progress
IV.  Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed           06 Nov 237
Predicted   07 Nov-09 Nov  235/235/230
90 Day Mean        06 Nov 208
V.  Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 05 Nov  012/013
Estimated Afr/Ap 06 Nov  075/100
Predicted Afr/Ap 07 Nov-09 Nov  030/030-012/015-010/012
VI.  Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 07 Nov-09 Nov
A.  Middle Latitudes
Active                50/35/35
Minor storm           25/15/15
Major-severe storm    04/04/04
B.  High Latitudes
Active                40/30/25
Minor storm           35/15/15
Major-severe storm    20/10/05

SpaceRef staff editor.