Viewing archive of Monday, 16 March 2026

Daily bulletin on solar and geomagnetic activity from the SIDC

Issued: 2026 Mar 16 1236 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
16 Mar 2026	107	019
17 Mar 2026	107	018
18 Mar 2026	109	010

Solar Active Regions and flaring

Solar flaring activity was low over the past 24 hours. The largest flare was a C1.1 flare (SIDC Flare 7217) peaking on March 15 at 15:09 UTC, which was produced by SIDC Sunspot Group 822 (NOAA Active Region 4395). There are currently 6 numbered regions on the disk. SIDC Sunspot Group 818 (NOAA Active Region 4391) also produced a C1.1 (SIDC Flare 7219), peaking on March 19 at 09:54 UTC. SIDC Sunspot Group 820 (NOAA Active Region 4392, Beta-Gamma magnetic configuration) is the largest region on disk and was growing over the past 24 hours. The other regions are simple and mostly quiet. Solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares expected and a chance for M-class flares.

Coronal mass ejections

No new Earth directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) have been detected in the available coronagraph imagery.

Coronal holes

The southern midlatitude extension of the large positive polarity trans-equatorial coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 154) is still crossing the central meridian.

Solar wind

Over the past 24 hours, the solar wind parameters reflected the ongoing influence of the high speed stream associated with SIDC Coronal Hole 154. The solar wind speed decreased slightly from around 700 kms to 550 km/s. The total magnetic field was stable around 6nT. Bz had a minimum of -5 nT. The interplanetary magnetic field phi angle was mostly in the positive sector (directed towards the Sun). The solar wind conditions are expected to remain perturbed over the next 24 hours due to the continued influence of the high speed stream of this extended coronal hole.

Geomagnetism

Over the past 24 hours, the geomagnetic conditions were at unsettled to active levels globally (NOAA Kp 4) and locally (K BEL 4). Further active conditions are expected over the next 24 hours, due to the ongoing high speed stream influence.

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 this threshold level over the next 24 hours.

Electron fluxes at geostationary orbit

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by GOES-18 and GOES-19 satellites, briefly exceeded the 1000 pfu threshold. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to again exceed the 1000 pfu threshold over the next 24 hours. The electron fluence was at normal to moderate levels and is expected to be at moderate levels for the next 24 hours.

Today's estimated international sunspot number (ISN): 079, based on 20 stations.

Solar indices for 15 Mar 2026

Wolf number Catania	///
10cm solar flux	109
AK Chambon La Forêt	025
AK Wingst	019
Estimated Ap	020
Estimated international sunspot number	071 - Based on 23 stations

Noticeable events summary

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

All times in UTC

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