Space Weather Outlook #00-42 26 September 2000

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

SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK #00- 42

2000 September 26 at 01:31 p.m. MDT (2000 September 26 1931 UT)

**** SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK ****

Summary For September 18-24

Space weather reached moderate (category 2) levels during the week. A
category G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm occurred on Sept. 18 as high
speed solar winds buffeted the Earth’s magnetic field. Category G2
geomagnetic storm conditions are typically associated with some or all
of the following system effects: high latitude power systems may
experience voltage alarms; changes in drag may affect orbital
predictions for spacecraft, and satellite orientation corrections may
be required by ground controllers; and high-frequency radio propagation
may fade at higher latitudes. A category R2 (moderate) radio blackout
peaked at 2:26 a.m. MDT (0826 UTC) on Sept. 19 due to a large solar
flare. Category R2 radio blackouts are normally associated with the
following affects on the sunlit portion of Earth: limited blackout of
high-frequency radio communication resulting in occasional loss of
radio contact and low-frequency navigation signals may be degraded for
brief intervals.

Outlook For September 27-October 3

Space weather is expected to be at minor to moderate levels. A large
sunspot group, presently making its way across the face of the Sun, may
produce isolated category R1 to R2 radio blackouts before it rotates to
the far side of the Sun on Oct.1, with effects similar to those
mentioned above. Category G1 to G2 geomagnetic storm conditions may
occur on Sept. 27 with effects similar to those described above.

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.