[LCC] Space Weather Activity From NOAA Shreveport

[w5wz at w5wz.com]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: From NOAA Shreveport
Date: Thu,  4 Aug 2011 16:58:08 -0400 (EDT)
 From: "ARRL Members Only Web site" <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: w5wz at w5wz.com

Recent Space Weather Activity, and More on the Way

Event

A trio of significant active regions produced a series of radio
blackout (solar flare) events in the past few days.
To date, three radio blackouts reaching the R2 (Moderate) level have
been observed.  Earth-directed coronal mass ejections have been
associated with each of the biggest radio blackout events on August
2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Solar radiation enhancements have also occurred in conjunction with
each of these events, with the solar radiation storm event threshold
being exceeded to reach the S1 (Minor) level in conjunction with the
August 4th event.
The radio blackout events, as observed by NOAA's GOES satellite are
shown in the image on the left below (real-time image also available
at: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_5m.html).  The solar
radiation storm, as observed by NOAA’s GOES satellite, is shown in
the image on the right below (real-time image also available at:
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/pro_3d.html).
Three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently en route to Earth,
with the commencement of geomagnetic storming expected early to mid-day
on August 5th with the arrival of the CMEs associated with the August
2nd and 3rd events.
The third of the string, seemingly the fastest CME, may catch up with
the first two in the next 12-18 hours, compressing the plasma and
enhancing the embedded magnetic field. Storming levels are expected to
attain G3 (Strong) conditions.  The current Solar Radiation Storm may
experience a kick with the shocks, and attain S2 (Moderate) thresholds.

Some level of geomagnetic disturbance is expected to continue through
August 7th as the series of CMEs affect the Earth.  Continued activity
is likely from these regions as they continue to rotate off the visible
solar disk over the next 7 days.  The Space Weather Prediction Center
(SWPC) will continue to monitor this event as it unfolds.


Impacts:

Significant impacts resulting in difficulty communicating with aircraft
en route via HF communication have reported over both the Pacific and
Atlantic sectors over the last 72 hours.
Polar HF communications, critical to commercial airline operations,
have been impacted, but as yet conditions are not of a magnitude to
cause significant changes to normal operations there. Carriers are
closely watching the current activity, to act promptly if conditions
intensify.
Space Weather Prediction Center products Issued:

Multiple Radio Blackout Alerts issued in conjunction with each
significant solar flare.
Geomagnetic Storm Watch for August 5th issued at 12:48 am EDT on August
3
Solar Radiation Storm Warning issued at 1:03 am EDT on August 4
Solar Radiation Storm Alert issued at 2:56 am EDT on August 4
Energetic Solar Radiation Storm Warning issued at 12:59 am EDT on
August 4
Energetic Solar Radiation Storm Alert issued at 1:30 am EDT on August
4
External SWPC Coordination:

Nominal customer notifications occurred upon product issuance.
Coordination has been held with FEMA to promote situational awareness.

Up to date information on current conditions is available at the
following URL:
http://www.spaceweather.gov/

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Louisiana Section
Section Manager: Mr Gary L Stratton Sr, K5GLS
k5gls at arrl.org
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