Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity

Issued: 2012 Jul 23 2200 UTC
Prepared jointly by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA,
Space Weather Prediction Center and the U.S. Air Force.

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity
SDF Number 205 Issued at 2200Z on 23 Jul 2012

IA.  Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from  22/2100Z
to 23/2100Z:  Solar activity was low.  Newly numbered Regions 1527
(N27E64) and 1529 (S12E71) produced the only C-class flares for the
period: a C2/1f flare at 23/1127Z and a C1 flare at 23/1700Z,
respectively.  New Region 1528 (N17E67) was also numbered.  Two CMEs
were observed overnight in LASCO C2 imagery.  The first was
associated with a filament eruption beyond the northwest limb
beginning at 22/1248Z and the second, an asymmetric full-halo
associated with flare activity from old Region 1520 (S16, L=086)
approximately 40 degrees beyond the west limb beginning at 23/0236Z.
These CMEs are not expected to disturb the geomagnetic field.
IB.  Solar Activity Forecast:  Solar activity is expected to be at
very low levels with a chance for C-class events for the forecast
period (24 - 26 July).
IIA.  Geophysical Activity Summary 22/2100Z to 23/2100Z:
The geomagnetic field was at quiet to unsettled levels with intervals
of active to minor storm conditions observed at high latitudes
between 23/1200 - 1800Z. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at
geosynchronous orbit exceeded the 10 pfu threshold at 23/1545Z.  A
maximum of 12 pfu was reached at 23/1700Z with flux levels still
above threshold as of this report.  An enhancement of the greater
than 100 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit was on-going as
well.  The proton event is likely associated with flare activity
from old Region 1520 that occurred at approximately 23/0235Z. The
greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels during the period.
IIB.  Geophysical Activity Forecast:  The geomagnetic field is
expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels with a chance for active
periods on day 1 (24 July) due to effects from a coronal hole high
speed stream.  Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on day 2
(25 July) as effects begin to diminish.  Mostly quiet conditions are
expected on day 3 (26 July).
III.  Event Probabilities 24 Jul-26 Jul
Class M    01/01/01
Class X    01/01/01
Proton     30/05/01
PCAF       yellow
IV.  Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
Observed           23 Jul 097
Predicted   24 Jul-26 Jul  100/105/110
90 Day Mean        23 Jul 126
V.  Geomagnetic A Indices
Observed Afr/Ap 22 Jul  009/009
Estimated Afr/Ap 23 Jul  007/008
Predicted Afr/Ap 24 Jul-26 Jul  007/015-007/010-006/005
VI.  Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 24 Jul-26 Jul
A.  Middle Latitudes
Active                20/10/05
Minor storm           10/05/01
Major-severe storm    01/01/01
B.  High Latitudes
Active                15/15/15
Minor storm           25/15/10
Major-severe storm    35/05/05
Summary For July 16-22

Categories G1 (Minor) and G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms occurred on 16 July due to a coronal mass ejection.
A category S1 (Minor) solar radiation storm was observed on 17-21 July, and reached S2 (Moderate) levels on 18 July, due to solar activity from active sunspot Region 1520.
Categories R1 (Minor) and R2 (Moderate) radio blackouts were observed on 17 July and 19 July respectively, due to flare activity from active sunspot Region 1520.



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www.sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales