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  • Weekly Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity, 23 - 29 March 2026

    From SWPC.Webmaster@3:633/10 to All on Mon Mar 30 13:00:04 2026
    :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
    :Issued: 2026 Mar 30 0230 UTC
    # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
    # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
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    # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
    #
    Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
    23 - 29 March 2026

    Solar activity reached moderate levels on 26 and 28 Mar with low
    levels observed on 23-25, 27, and 29 Mar.

    Region 4405 (N26, L=178, class/area=Ehi/330 on 28 Mar) was the most
    active of the period, producing nine C-class flares and a
    long-duration M1.3 flare at 28/0416 UTC that was accompanied by a
    Type II radio sweep (estimated velocity 868 km/s) and a CME first
    seen in LASCO C2 imagery at 28/0336 UTC. Region 4403 (N16, L=206, class/area=Hsx/120 on 28 Mar) was responsible for the most powerful
    event of the period, an M3.9/1n flare at 26/0623 UTC, which was
    associated with a Type II radio sweep (estimated velocity 607 km/s),
    a 1,600 sfu radio burst at 245 MHz, and a CME first visible in LASCO
    C2 imagery at 26/0648 UTC. Neither CME was determined to have an
    Earth-directed component.

    No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

    The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
    high levels throughout the period 23-29 Mar with peak of 12,800 pfu
    observed at 27/1515 UTC.

    Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G1 (Minor) storm
    levels. G1 storm conditions were observed 23 Mar due to negative
    polarity coronal hole high speed stream (-CH HSS) influences. Active
    levels were observed on 24 Mar under the continuing -CH HSS. On 25
    Mar, G1 storming levels were reached again; while residual -CH HSS
    effects were present, the activity was primarily driven by the
    arrival of a CME likely associated with a filament eruption on 22
    Mar. Conditions waned to unsettled levels on 26 Mar and quiet levels
    on 27 Mar as HSS influences subsided. Activity remained quiet to
    unsettled on 28 Mar. On 29 Mar, the field returned to active levels
    preceding a solar sector boundary crossing (SSBC) and the onset of a
    positive polarity CH HSS (+CH HSS).

    Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
    30 March - 25 April 2026

    Solar activity is expected to be is expected to be at low levels,
    with a varying chance for M-class (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) flares
    through 25 Apr.

    No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit, barring any
    significant, non-recurrent solar activity.

    The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
    expected to reach high levels on 30-31 Mar, 04-09 Apr, 11-16 Apr,
    and 18-25 Apr. Normal to moderate flux levels are expected to
    prevail throughout the remainder of the period.

    Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1 (Minor)
    geomagnetic storm levels on 30 March due to the influence of a
    positive polarity CH HSS (+CH HSS). Periods of G1 storming are
    likely on 04 April in response to a negative polarity CH HSS (-CH
    HSS). Further G1 storm periods are anticipated on 09 and 11 Apr,
    with likely G2 (Moderate) storm levels on 10 April, due to + CH HSS
    influences. The field is expected to reach G2 storm levels again on
    18 Apr, followed by G1 storm periods on 19 Apr, due to -CH HSS
    influences. Unsettled to active conditions are likely during the
    onset and waning phases of these streams.


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