:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2026 Mar 23 0245 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
# https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
16 - 22 March 2026

Solar activity reached moderate levels on 16-18 Mar, with low levels
observed on 19-22 Mar. Region 4392 (S16, L=018, class/area=Csi/200
on 17 Mar) produced most of the flare activity observed throughout
the week, including three M-flares (R1-Minor). AR4392 produced an
M2.7 flare at 16/1215 UTC with accompanying Type-II (est. 1,227
km/s), Type-IV, and Tenflare (380 sfu) emissions. The subsequent
asymmetric halo CME, first observed in LASCO C2 imagery at 16/1236
UTC, arrived at Earth on 20 Mar. AR4392 produced another M2.7 flare
at 18/0842 UTC with accompanying Type-II (est. 860 km/s) and
Tenflare (229 sfu) emissions. The associated CME, first visible in
LASCO C2 imagery at 18/0936 UTC, arrived simultaneously with the 16
Mar CME on 20 Mar.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels on 16-20 and 22 Mar. Normal to moderate levels were
observed on 21 Mar following a period of elevated geomagnetic field
activity.

Geomagnetic field activity reached G1-G3 (Minor-Strong) geomagnetic
storm levels on 20-22 Mar, following the arrival of multiple CMEs
(that left the Sun on 16 and 18 Mar) on 20 Mar. The remainder of the
period was at quiet and quiet to unsettled levels under ambient
solar wind conditions.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
23 March - 18 April 2026

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a varying chance
for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares through 18 Apr.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit, barring
significant flare activity.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to reach high levels on 23-25, 27-28, 30-31 Mar and 04-09,
11-15 Apr. Normal to moderate flux levels are expected to prevail
throughout the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1-G2
(Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels on 23 Mar due to negative
polarity CH HSS influences. Periods of G1 (Minor) storming are
likely on 03-04 Apr in response to negative polarity CH HSS
influences. Periods of G1 (Minor) storming are likely on 09 and 11
Apr, with G2 (Moderate) storm periods likely on 10 Apr, due to
positive polarity CH HSS influences. G2 (Moderate) storm periods are
likely again on 18 Apr following the onset of negative polarity CH
HSS influences.


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