Viewing archive of Sunday, 22 March 2026

Daily bulletin on solar and geomagnetic activity from the SIDC

Issued: 2026 Mar 22 1239 UTC

SIDC Forecast

Solar flares

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

Geomagnetism

Major (ISES: Severe) magstorm expected (A>=100 or K>=7)

Solar protons

Quiet

	10cm flux	Ap
22 Mar 2026	113	071
23 Mar 2026	119	043
24 Mar 2026	124	016

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 7238) peaking on March 21 at 16:07 UTC. There are currently 8 numbered regions on the disk. Three new regions rotated over the east solar limb and were numbered. SIDC Sunspot Group 828 (NOAA Active Region 4398, magnetic type beta) and SIDC Sunspot Group 826 (NOAA Active Region 4400, magnetic type beta) both exhibited flux emergence. SIDC Sunspot Group 820 (NOAA Active Region 4392 magnetic type beta) is the largest region on disk but has been stable over the period. Solar flaring activity is expected to be low over the next 24 hours, with C-class flares probable and a chance for M-class flares.

Coronal mass ejections

No new Earth directed CMEs were detected in the available coronagraph imagery.

Coronal holes

An extended negative polarity equatorial coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 147) continues to transit the central meridian.

Solar wind

The solar wind parameters reflected the ongoing ICME passage (SIDC CME 641) and a transition to the fast solar wind associated with (SIDC Coronal Hole 147). The interplanetary magnetic field reached a maximum of 39 nT at 15:24 UTC March 21. At the end of the period the interplanetary magnetic field strength was stable around 15 nT. The solar wind speed was around 500 km/s for the first half of the period and then began to gradually increase to values around 620 km/s by the end of the period. Bz was mostly positive until 06:00 UTC March 22 when a long period of negative Bz began with a minimum of -11nT. The solar wind speed is expected to remain enhanced over the next 24 hours due to the high speed stream associated with the large negative polarity equatorial coronal hole (SIDC Coronal Hole 147).

Geomagnetism

The geomagnetic conditions were at unsettled to active levels at the start of the period but increased to minor storm conditions globally between 03:00 and 09:00 UTC on March 22 and then reached major storm conditions globally (NOAA KP 7-) from 09:00 UTC on March 22. This was in response to the extended period of negative Bz. Locally, moderate storm levels were observed (K-Bel = 6). Moderate to major storm conditions are expected for the rest of March 22, due to the high speed a high speed stream influence. This is expected to gradually reduce to minor storm conditions from March 23.

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, was below the 1000 pfu threshold. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be at or just above the 1000 pfu threshold over the next 24 hours. The electron fluence was at normal levels and is expected to be at normal levels for the next 24 hours.

Today's estimated international sunspot number (ISN): 105, based on 18 stations.

Solar indices for 21 Mar 2026

Wolf number Catania	///
10cm solar flux	107
AK Chambon La Forêt	038
AK Wingst	035
Estimated Ap	038
Estimated international sunspot number	044 - Based on 24 stations

Noticeable events summary

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

All times in UTC

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