Geomagnetic storm reaching G3 (Strong) levels in progress, extreme conditions possible

Galactic Free Press's picture

During the last 24 hours, solar wind parameters, measured by the ACE spacecraft, were indicative of background solar wind conditions until 07:45 UTC on August 15, when a sudden impulse occurred due to the arrival of a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) ahead of a recurrent positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS), SWPC reported at 12:30 UTC today.

Solar wind speeds jumped from near 350 km/s to near 500 km/s. IMF total field strength jumped from 11 nT to as high as 28 nT, while the maximum southward deflection of the Bz component was -20 nT.

Geomagnetic storm reached G1 (Minor) conditions at 11:25, G2 (Moderate) at 11:32 and G3 (Strong) at 11:43 UTC.

Additionally, a partial halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) produced by the solar filament eruption at 13:32 UTC on August 12 is expected to arrive early August 16. This is expected to further contribute to the already enhanced conditions.

Category: