Viewing archive of Saturday, 16 May 2026

Solar activity report

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 2026 May 16 2200 UTC
Prepared by the NOAA © SWPC and processed by SpaceWeatherLive.com

Joint USAF/NOAA Report of Solar and Geophysical Activity

SDF Number 136 Issued at 2200Z on 16 May 2026

IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 15-2100Z to 16-2100Z

Solar activity has been at moderate levels for the past 24 hours. There are currently 6 numbered sunspot regions on the disk.
IB. Solar Activity Forecast
Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-class flares on days one, two, and three (17 May, 18 May, 19 May).
IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 15-2100Z to 16-2100Z
The geomagnetic field has been at quiet to major storm levels for the past 24 hours. Solar wind speed reached a peak of 823 km/s at 16/0336Z. Total IMF reached 15 nT at 15/2213Z. The maximum southward component of Bz reached -11 nT at 15/2149Z. Electrons greater than 2 MeV at geosynchronous orbit reached a peak level of 1420 pfu.
IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to minor storm levels on day one (17 May), unsettled to minor storm levels on day two (18 May) and quiet to active levels on day three (19 May).
III. Event Probabilities 17 May to 19 May
Class M40%40%40%
Class X05%05%05%
Proton05%05%01%
PCAFgreen
IV. Penticton 10.7 cm Flux
  Observed       16 May 109
  Predicted   17 May-19 May 105/106/110
  90 Day Mean        16 May 124

V. Geomagnetic A Indices
  Observed Afr/Ap 15 May  022/035
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 16 May  027/038
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 17 May-19 May  014/018-016/020-013/015

VI. Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 17 May to 19 May
A. Middle Latitudes
Active40%40%35%
Minor storm30%30%15%
Major-severe storm10%10%01%
B. High Latitudes
Active05%05%15%
Minor storm25%25%30%
Major-severe storm70%70%40%

All times in UTC

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