Summary and Forecast
Solar Summary
(last updated 23 Mar 2026 23:30 UT)
Activity 23 Mar: R0 Flares: none. Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 23 Mar: 124/77
Solar Forecast
(last updated 23 Mar 2026 23:30 UT)
24 Mar 25 Mar 26 Mar Activity R0-R1 R0-R1 R0-R1 Fadeouts Possible Possible Possible 10.7cm/SSN 125/78 125/78 130/84 COMMENT: Solar flare activity on UT day 23-Mar was R0. Solar regions AR4392 (S16W73, beta), AR4398 (S15E04, beta), AR4401 (N24E53, beta) and AR4402 (N15E59, beta) produced low level C class flare activity. A long duration C3.4 flare was observed at 23/0012UT from AR4392. Solar region AR4401 is growing, AR4398 is showing slight growth and AR4392 showed initial development then decay in its small surrounding spots. Solar region AR4400 (S10W34, beta-gamma) showed decay in its trailer spots and slight growth in its leader spots. There are currently seven numbered sunspots on the solar disk. All other sunspot regions are either stable or in decay. Space based solar imagery was limited on 23-Mar with images available up to 23/1244UT. Solar activity is expected to be R0-R1 over 24-26 Mar. No significantly Earth directed CMEs were observed. A west directed CME was observed from 22/2348UT, which appeared to be associated with the long duration C3.4 flare from AR4392. This CME was modelled to pass well ahead of the Earth. S0 solar radiation storm conditions were observed on UT day 23-Mar. An weak enhancement in the solar proton flux was observed from 23/1400UT possibly in association with the west directed CME. S0 solar radiation storm conditions are expected over 24-26 Mar. The solar wind speed on UT day 23-Mar was enhanced and steady due to a coronal hole wind stream. The solar wind speed ranged from 615 to 725 km/s and is currently at 653 km/s. The interplanetary magnetic field strength (IMF, Bt) was 6 nT and the north-south IMF component range (Bz) was +4 to -5 nT. The solar wind is expected to remain elevated for 24-Mar and then to gradually decline. There is a slight chance for a very weak glancing blow CME arrival at 24/2100UT from a solar filament eruption on 22-Mar. This CME is predominately directed behind the Earth.
Solar Activity levels are explained in the SWS Solar Terrestrial Glossary.
