The geomagnetic field was at quiet to major storm levels on August 17. The high latitude magnetometer at Andenes recorded quiet to major storm levels. The above 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels at the end of the day. A solar wind shock was observed arriving at SOHO at 13:29 UT, the arrival of the August 14 CME.
Solar flux density measured at 20h UT on 2.8 GHz was 229.5 - increasing 22.1 over the previous solar rotation. (Centered 1 year average SF at 1 AU - 183 days ago: 169.78. In comparison SC24 peaked on June 28, 2014 at 145.50. Current SC25 peak: 169.78 on February 17, 2024). The Potsdam WDC planetary A index was 27 (STAR Ap - based on the mean of three hour interval ap indices: 26.6). Three hour interval K indices: 10113655 (planetary), 10234645 (Boulder), 21214645 (Andenes).
The background x-ray flux is at the class C3 level (GOES 16).
At the time of counting spots (see image time), spots were observed in 16 active regions using 2K resolution (SN: 376) and in 13 active regions using 1K resolution (SN: 236) SDO/HMI images.
AR 13784 [N16W44] lost a few spots. The
magnetic delta configuration decayed further. Only a few flares were
recorded, however, an increase in activity was observed early on August 18.
AR 13785 [S14W35] gained area in the southern spot sections and lost
spots in the northern spot sections .
AR 13786 [S22W81] decayed slowly and was mostly quiet.
AR 13788 [S07W20] was mostly quiet and stable.
AR 13789 [N27W13] decayed slowly and quietly.
AR 13790 [S11E49] developed slowly and produced several C and M
flares.
AR 13791 [S18E35] was quiet and stable.
AR 13792 [S17E60] was quiet and stable.
New AR 13793 [N22E48] emerged on August 16 and developed further on
August 17 when the spot group was numbered by SWPC.
New AR 13794 [N18E29] emerged on August 17 and received its NOAA
number the next day.
Spotted regions not observed (or interpreted
differently) by SWPC/USAF:
S10026 [N15E05] decayed slowly and quietly.
New region S10028 [S03E03] emerged with tiny spots.
New region S10029 [S03E81] rotated into view with several spots. M
class flaring is possible.
New region S10030 [N03E82] rotated into view with tiny spots.
New region S10031 [N23E58] was observed with tiny spots in an
old plage area.
New region S10032 [S24E18] was observed with tiny spots in an old
plage area.
C2+ flares
| Magnitude | Peak time (UT) | Location | Source | Recorded by | Comment |
| C4.8 | 00:11 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C3.7 | 00:58 | 13784 | GOES16 | ||
| C3.9 | 01:36 | 13784 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.0 | 02:19 | behind west limb | GOES16 | ||
| C5.0 | 04:08 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.0 | 04:36 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.3 | 04:59 | 13785 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.4 | 05:28 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.1 | 05:49 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.4 | 06:10 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.9 | 06:27 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.6 | 06:37 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.4 | 06:53 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C6.5 | 07:16 | 13794 | GOES16 | ||
| C7.5 | 07:21 | 13794 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.5 | 09:39 | 13793 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.7 | 10:00 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| M1.6/1N | 10:33 | 13784 | GOES16 | ||
| C8.7 | 11:30 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| M1.1 | 11:44 | 13785 | GOES16 | ||
| C6.6 | 12:17 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.3 | 13:02 | 13786 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.3 | 13:12 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.2 | 13:29 | 13786 | GOES16 | ||
| C3.9 | 15:03 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.0 | 15:33 | 13790 | GOES16 | simultaneous flare in AR 13793 | |
| C3.8 | 16:40 | 13784 | GOES16 | simultaneous flare in AR 13786 | |
| C4.1 | 17:59 | 13787 | GOES16 | ||
| C3.9 | 18:50 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.0 | 19:38 | 13784 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.8 | 19:43 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.6 | 20:02 | 13784 | GOES16 | ||
| C7.1 | 20:18 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C5.1 | 20:43 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.6 | 21:13 | 13790 | GOES16 | ||
| C4.9 | 21:28 | S10029 | GOES16 | ||
| M1.1 | 21:48 | S10029 | GOES16 | attributed to AR 13790 by SWPC, however, that flare peaked later | |
| M1.4 | 22:06 | 13790 | GOES16 |
August 15-17: No obviously Earth directed CMEs were observed.
[Coronal hole history (since October 2002)]
[Compare today's report to the situation one solar rotation ago:
28 days ago
27 days ago
26 days ago]
A recurrent negative polarity northern hemisphere coronal hole (CH1235) rotated across the central meridian on August 13-15, however, it is likely too far to the north to cause any significant disturbance. A positive polarity northern hemisphere coronal hole (CH1236) could rotate into an Earth facing position on August 18-20.
Long distance low and medium frequency (below 2 MHz) propagation along paths north of due west over upper middle and high latitudes is poor. Propagation on long distance northeast-southwest paths is poor to fair.
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on August 18 due to lingering effects from the August 14 CME. Quiet conditions are likely on August 19-20. Quiet to active is possible on August 21-23 due to effects from CH1236.
| Coronal holes (1) | Coronal mass ejections (2) | M and X class flares (3) |
1) Effects from a coronal hole
could reach Earth within the next 5 days. When the high speed
stream has arrived the color changes to green.
2) Effects from a CME are likely to be observed at Earth within 96 hours.
3) There is a possibility of either M or X class flares within the next 48 hours.
Green: 0-30% probability, Yellow: 30-70% probability, Red: 70-100% probability.
(Click on image for 2K resolution).
4K resolution.
Compare to the previous
day's image. 0.5K image
When available the active region map has a coronal hole polarity overlay where red (pink) is negative and blue is positive.
Data for all officially numbered solar regions according to the Solar Region Summary provided by NOAA/SWPC, all other regions are numbered sequentially as they emerge using the STAR spot number. Comments are my own, as is the STAR spot count (spots observed at or inside a few hours before midnight) and data for regions not numbered by SWPC or where SWPC has observed no spots. SWPC active region numbers in the table below and in the active region map above are the historic SWPC/USAF numbers. SWPC data considered to be not sufficiently precise (location, area, classification) are colored red.
| Active region | SWPC date numbered STAR detected |
Spot count | Location at midnight | Area | Classification | SDO / HMI 4K continuum image with magnetic polarity overlays |
Comment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWPC/ USAF |
Magnetic (SDO) |
SWPC | STAR | Current | Previous | ||||||
| 2K | 1K | ||||||||||
| 13782 | 2024.08.06 2024.08.07 |
N04W67 |
 |
location: N03W68 | |||||||
| 13784 | 2024.08.07 2024.08.09 |
16 | 45 | 24 | N15W47 | 0680 | DKC | DKC |
 |
 |
beta-gamma-delta location: N16W44 |
| 13786 | 2024.08.07 2024.08.11 |
1 | 3 | 1 | S22W83 | 0090 | HSX | CRO |
 |
 |
location: S22W81 area: 0020 |
| S10006 | 2024.08.08 | S09W47 | |||||||||
| 13785 | 2024.08.09 2024.08.11 |
17 | 38 | 20 | S13W34 | 0090 | EAI | DAI |
 |
 |
beta-gamma location: S14W35 area: 0180 |
| 13787 | 2024.08.09 2024.08.11 |
 |
location: N19W79 SWPC deleted the region on 2024.08.17 |
||||||||
| S10011 | 2024.08.10 | S06W53 |
 |
||||||||
| 13788 | 2024.08.10 2024.08.11 |
3 | 17 | 6 | S08W18 | 0130 | CSO | CSO |
 |
 |
location: S07W20 |
| 13789 | 2024.08.10 2024.08.14 |
12 | 23 | 15 | N27W15 | 0050 | DAI | DRI |
 |
 |
beta-gamma location: N27W13 area: 0080 |
| S10018 | 2024.08.12 | S20W36 | |||||||||
| 13791 | 2024.08.14 2024.08.16 |
3 | 7 | 3 | S18E34 | 0010 | BXO | CRO |
 |
 |
location: S18E35 area: 0030 |
| 13790 | 2024.08.15 2024.08.15 |
12 | 32 | 16 | S13E46 | 0120 | DSI | DAC |
 |
 |
beta-gamma location: S11E46 area: 0460 |
| S10021 | 2024.08.15 | N06W23 | |||||||||
| S10022 | 2024.08.15 | S07E09 | |||||||||
| 13792 | 2024.08.16 2024.08.16 |
1 | 7 | 5 | S16E60 | 0220 | HSX | CHO |
 |
 |
location: S17E60 area: 0580 |
| 13793 | 2024.08.16 2024.08.17 |
4 | 6 | 3 | N22E47 | 0040 | DSO | DAO |
 |
 |
location: N22E48 area: 0160 |
| S10025 | 2024.08.16 | N26E04 |
 |
||||||||
| S10026 | 2024.08.16 | 4 | N15E05 | 0005 | BXO |
 |
 |
||||
| 13794 | 2024.08.16 2024.08.17 |
1 | 14 | 8 | N19E33 | 0010 | HAX | DAI |
 |
 |
location: N18E29 |
| S10028 | 2024.08.17 | 7 | 1 | S03E03 | 0010 | BXO |
 |
||||
| S10029 | 2024.08.17 | 7 | 3 | S03E81 | 0200 | DAI |
 |
||||
| S10030 | 2024.08.17 | 2 | 1 | N03E82 | 0005 | AXX |
 |
||||
| S10031 | 2024.08.17 | 2 | N24E58 | 0002 | AXX |
 |
|||||
| S10032 | 2024.08.17 | 2 | S24E18 | 0002 | AXX |
 |
|||||
| Total spot count: | 70 | 216 | 106 | ||||||||
| Sunspot number: | 170 | 376 | 236 | (total spot count + 10 * number of spotted regions) | |||||||
| Weighted SN: | 120 | 275 | 165 | (Sum of total spot count + classification weighting for each AR. Classification weighting: X=0, R=3, A/S=5, H/K=10) | |||||||
| Relative sunspot number (Wolf number): | 187 | 207 | 189 | ||||||||
| Month | Average solar flux | International sunspot number (WDC-SILSO) |
Smoothed sunspot number (4) | Average ap (3) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measured | 1 AU | ||||
| 2014.02 | 170.3 (cycle peak) |
166.3 | 146.1 (SC24 peak) | 110.5 | 10.70 |
| 2014.04 | 143.9 | 144.8 | 112.5 | 116.4 (SC24 solar max) | 7.88 |
| 2017.09 | 91.3 | 92.3 | 43.6 | 18.2 (-1.3) | 18.22 (SC24 peak) |
| 2019.11 | 70.2 | 68.7 | 0.5 | 2.0 (-0.6) (Solar minimum using 365d smoothing: November 17, 2019) |
4.19 |
| 2019.12 | 70.8 | 68.6 | 1.6 | 1.8 (-0.2) (ISN 13 months smoothed solar minimum) |
3.22 |
| 2022.11 | 123.4 | 120.7 | 80.5 | 101.2 (+2.3) | 9.33 |
| 2022.12 | 147.9 | 143.4 | 112.8 | 106.7 (+5.5) | 10.99 |
| 2023.01 | 182.4 | 176.6 | 144.4 | 113.3 (+6.6) | 8.73 |
| 2023.02 | 167.2 | 163.2 | 111.3 | 117.8 (+3.5) | 14.48 |
| 2023.03 | 157.2 | 155.6 | 123.3 | 121.1 (+3.3) | 14.42 |
| 2023.04 | 145.4 | 146.4 | 97.6 | 122.9 (+1.8) | 13.40 |
| 2023.05 | 155.6 | 159.2 | 137.4 | 124.2 (+1.3) | 10.67 |
| 2023.06 | 161.7 | 166.8 | 160.5 | 125.3 (+1.1) | 8.95 |
| 2023.07 | 176.4 | 182.2 | 160.0 | 124.6 (-0.7) | 8.15 |
| 2023.08 | 153.7 | 157.6 | 114.8 | 124.3 (-0.3) | 7.19 |
| 2023.09 | 154.4 | 156.0 | 134.2 | 124.0 (-0.3) | 14.26 |
| 2023.10 | 142.8 | 141.9 | 99.4 | 124.8 (+0.8) | 8.16 |
| 2023.11 | 153.5 | 150.2 | 105.4 | 127.8 (+3.0) | 12.20 |
| 2023.12 | 151.1 | 146.4 | 114.2 | 129.4 (+1.6) | 9.60 |
| 2024.01 | 164.6 | 159.3 | 126.0 | 131.1 (+1.7) | 5.46 |
| 2024.02 | 172.5 | 168.3 | 123.0 | (137.4 projected, +6.3) | 5.31 |
| 2024.03 | 154.4 | 152.9 | 103.7 | (144.1 projected, +6.7) | 11.03 |
| 2024.04 | 161.3 | 162.6 | 136.5 | (148.2 projected, +4.1) | 9.69 |
| 2024.05 | 187.7 | 191.9 | 171.7 | (152.9 projected, +4.7) | 23.56 (SC25 peak) |
| 2024.06 | 184.3 | 190.2 | 164.2 | (156.9 projected, +4.0) | 10.24 |
| 2024.07 | 196.6 (cycle peak) |
203.0 | 196.5 (SC25 peak) | (158.7 projected, +1.8) | 7.13 |
| 2024.08 | 260.5 (1) | 123.2 (2A) / 224.7 (2B) / 228.1 (2C) | (159.1 projected, +0.4) | (19.8) | |
| 2024.09 | (161.0 projected, +1.9) | ||||
| 2024.10 | (162.8 projected, +1.8) | ||||
| 2024.11 | (160.8 projected, -2.0) | ||||
| 2024.12 | (156.4 projected, -4.4) | ||||
| 2025.01 | (150.3 projected, -6.1) | ||||
| 2025.02 | (143.0 projected, -7.3) | ||||
1) Running average based on the daily 20:00 UTC observed solar flux value at 2800 MHz
and any corrections applied to that measurement.
2A) Current impact on the monthly sunspot number based on the Boulder (NOAA/SWPC) sunspot number (accumulated daily sunspots / month days).
2B) Boulder SN current month average to date.
2C) STAR SDO 1K Wolf number 30 day average.
3) Running average based on the quicklook and definitive Potsdam WDC ap indices. Values in red
are based on the definitive international
GFZ Potsdam WDC ap indices.
4) Source: WDC-SILSO, Royal Observatory
Of Belgium, Brussels
Sunspot counts in July 2024 were the highest we've seen for a single month during solar cycle 25. The first part of August has seen very high sunspot counts, and there more than a remote possibility that we'll see activity in August approaching the most active months of solar cycle 23. With at least 4 consecutive months of high sunspot counts the projected peak for the smoothed ISN (365 days smoothing) has increased significantly to above 160. The month of the peak is currently likely to occur sometime between July and November 2024.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This report has been prepared by Jan Alvestad. It is based on the analysis of data from whatever sources are available at the time the report is prepared. All time references are to Universal Time. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
SDO images are courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
