Status Report

Radiation Storm Occurs, Magentic Storm Predicted 14 July 2000

By SpaceRef Editor
July 14, 2000
Filed under

SPACE WEATHER BULLETIN #00- 10

2000 July 14 at 10:14 a.m. MDT (2000 July 14 1614 UT)

**** RADIATION STORM OCCURS , MAGNETIC STORM PREDICTED ****

A large, complex sunspot group has produced one of the largest solar flares and associated radiation storms seen in recent years. The flare
peaked at 4:24 a.m. MDT (1024 UTC) on July 14 and resulted in a radio blackout that reached R3 (strong) levels and a solar radiation storm
that reached S3 (strong) levels. The solar radiation storm, which continues at the time of this advisory, is the largest observed since October,
1989. Images from NASA’s SOHO/LASCO spacecraft showed that a large, fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) followed the flare and is
headed Earthward. NOAA space weather forecasters predict that the CME will impact the Earth’s magnetic field on Saturday afternoon and will
cause a geomagnetic storm that is expected to reach category G3 (strong) to G4 (severe) levels. The radiation and geomagnetic storms are
expected to produce adverse effects on spacecraft operations, power systems, high-frequency radio communications, and low-frequency
navigation signals. In addition, the geomagnetic storm is expected to produce aurora displays that will be visible over much of the U.S.

The sunspot group responsible for this event will be visible from Earth until it crosses the Sun’s west limb on July 21 and more space weather
storms are possible until that time.

SpaceRef staff editor.