[CQ-Contest] Geo-storm commencing 1145 UTC

[nw7us at hfradio.org]

NW7US Propagation Update
17 January 2005 - 1145 UTC

The solar wind speed is now (1145 UTC) exceeding 776 km/s with a  
moderately southward orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (Bz  
= -6.6 nT).  This rise in wind speed is rather sudden, after a long period  
of it hovering around 600 km/s.

The Aurora activity energy level is increasing, measuring 1000 nT.  The  
GEOS Hp indicates a strong compression of the Magnetosphere.

This will induce strong ring currents and cause the geomagnetic field to  
become strongly active.

Forecast for next 24 hours: Space weather for the next 24 hours is  
expected to be strong. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G3 level are  
expected. Solar radiation storms reaching the S2 level are expected. Radio  
blackouts reaching the R3 level are expected.  (See  
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/ for the scales used here).


73 de Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAA0WA)

: Propagation Editor for CQ, CQ VHF, Popular Communications :
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