Viewing archive of Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Daily bulletin on solar and geomagnetic activity from the SIDC

Issued: 2025 May 20 1231 UTC

SIDC Forecast

Solar flares

C-class flares expected, (probability >=50%)

Geomagnetism

Active conditions expected (A>=20 or K=4)

Solar protons

Quiet

	10cm flux	Ap
20 May 2025	118	013
21 May 2025	119	013
22 May 2025	120	015

Solar Active Regions and flaring

Solar flaring activity over the last 24 hours has been low, with only a few C-class flares. The strongest flare was a C5.3 flare peaking at 05:54 UTC on May 20, associated with SIDC Sunspot Group 503 (magnetic type beta). There are currently seven numbered active regions on the solar disk. The most complex one is SIDC Sunspot Group 496 (NOAA Active Region 4087, magnetic type beta-delta). SIDC Sunspot Groups 502 and 503 (both magnetic type beta) have rotated on disk from the east limb, in the southeast quadrant. Solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares expected and a small chance for M-class flares.

Coronal mass ejections

A faint prominence eruption was observed in SDO/AIA 304 data around 07:40 UTC on May 20, over the northeast limb. A filament eruption was observed in SDO/AIA 304 data around 08:00 UTC on May 20, west of SIDC Sunspot Group 496 (NOAA Active Region 4087). No associated Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was observed for either event in the available coronagraph imagery. No other Earth-directed CMEs were observed in the available coronagraph imagery.

Coronal holes

The elongated, mid-latitude, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104) continues to cross the central meridian since May 15.

Solar wind

The solar wind conditions (ACE and DSCOVR) were enhanced during the past 24 hours, most likely due to the continuous influence of a high- speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104). The solar wind speed ranged between 480 km/s and 550 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field values increased from 5 nT to 9 nT. The Bz component ranged between -8 nT and 7 nT. The interplanetary magnetic field angle phi was predominantly in the positive sector. Further enhancements in the solar wind conditions may be expected over the next 24 hours, under the continuous influence of the high-speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104).

Geomagnetism

Geomagnetic conditions globally were initially at quiet levels (NOAA Kp 2- to 2+) over the past 24 hours, reaching unsettled levels (NOAA Kp 3) between 03:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on May 20. Geomagnetic conditions locally were mostly at quiet levels (K BEL 2), with a few intervals of unsettled levels (K BEL 3). Mostly unsettled to active levels, with a small chance for isolated minor storm intervals (NOAA Kp 3 to 5, K BEL 3 to 5), are expected over the next 24 hours, under the continuous influence of the high-speed stream from the southern, positive polarity coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 104).

Proton flux levels

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was below the 10 pfu threshold over the past 24 hours. It is expected to remain below the threshold level over the next 24 hours.

Electron fluxes at geostationary orbit

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 18 was over the 1000 pfu threshold between 14:50 UTC on May 19 and 03:40 UTC on May 20. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 19 was over the 1000 pfu threshold between 14:00 UTC and 23:50 UTC on May 19. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be above the 1000 pfu threshold over the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence is presently at normal levels but is expected to gradually increase over the next 24 hours.

Today's estimated international sunspot number (ISN): 082, based on 20 stations.

Solar indices for 19 May 2025

Wolf number Catania	084
10cm solar flux	117
AK Chambon La Forêt	014
AK Wingst	014
Estimated Ap	013
Estimated international sunspot number	071 - Based on 26 stations

Noticeable events summary

Provided by the Solar Influences Data analysis Center© - SIDC - Processed by SpaceWeatherLive

All times in UTC

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