Space Weather Outlook #00-35 1 August 2000

Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center
Boulder, Colorado, USA

SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK #00- 35

2000 August 01 at 10:34 a.m. MDT (2000 August 01 1634 UT)

**** SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK ****

Summary For July 24-30

Space weather reached moderate levels due to category R2 (moderate)
radio blackouts and a category G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm. One
category R2 radio blackout occurred during July 25 due to a large
solar flare. Category R2 radio blackouts typically result in the
following effects on the sunlit portion of Earth: limited blackout of
high-frequency radio communication signals resulting in loss of contact
for tens of minutes for mariners and en route aviators, and degradation
of low-frequency navigation signals for tens of minutes affecting
maritime and general aviation positioning. A category S1 (minor) solar
radiation storm was detected by the NOAA GOES spacecraft on July 28 and
resulted in minor impacts on high-frequency radio communications in the
polar regions. Category G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions
occurred on July 29 due to a CME (coronal mass ejection) passage at
Earth. Moderate geomagnetic storm conditions normally result in some or
all of the following system effects: voltage alarms are possible on
high latitude power systems (but tripping is not likely); spacecraft
operations require corrective actions by ground control and changes in
atmospheric drag affect orbital predictions; and high-frequency radio
communication signals fade at high latitudes.

Outlook For August 2-8

Category R1 (minor) to R2 (moderate) radio blackouts are expected during
the period with effects similar to those mentioned above. Category G1
(minor) geomagnetic storm conditions are possible during the forecast
period. G1-level geomagnetic storms will normally result in minor
impacts on satellite operations and high-latitude power systems.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA,
USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services
and other observatories, universities, and institutions. More
information is available at SEC’s Web site http://sec.noaa.gov or
(303) 497-5127. The NOAA Public Affairs contact is Barbara McGehan
at bmcgehan@boulder.noaa.gov or (303) 497-6288.