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Alerts:
Space Weather Message Code: WATA20
Serial Number: 1084
Issue Time: 2025 Dec 29 1542 UTC

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted
Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day:
Dec 30:  None (Below G1)   Dec 31:  None (Below G1)   Jan 01:  G1 (Minor)
THIS SUPERSEDES ANY/ALL PRIOR WATCHES IN EFFECT
www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation
Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.
Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur.
Spacecraft - Minor impact on satellite operations possible.
Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine.

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 3589
Issue Time: 2025 Dec 29 0806 UTC

CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 3588
Begin Time: 2025 Dec 21 1425 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 8999 pfu
Potential Impacts: Satellite systems may experience significant charging resulting in increased risk to satellite systems.


Solar-terrestrial indices for 29 December follow.
Solar flux 196 and estimated planetary A-index 9.
The estimated planetary K-index at 0300 UTC on 30 December was 1.67.

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been minor.
Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level occurred.

Space weather for the next 24 hours is predicted to be moderate.
Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level are likely.


Geo Magnetic Forecast:

NOAA Ap Index Forecast
Observed Ap 28 Dec 009
Estimated Ap 29 Dec 009
Predicted Ap 30 Dec-01 Jan 008-012-026

NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities 30 Dec-01 Jan
Active                20/30/35
Minor storm           01/15/40
Moderate storm        01/05/15
Strong-Extreme storm  01/01/01

NOAA Kp index forecast 30 Dec - 01 Jan
             Dec 30    Dec 31    Jan 01
00-03UT        1.33      1.67      5.00
03-06UT        1.33      1.67      4.33
06-09UT        1.33      2.00      3.67
09-12UT        1.33      2.00      3.33
12-15UT        1.67      2.33      3.33
15-18UT        2.00      2.67      4.00
18-21UT        2.67      3.33      3.67
21-00UT        3.00      4.33      3.33


Extended Three Day Forecast:

A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast

The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 3 (below NOAA
Scale levels).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Dec 30-Jan 01 2026 is 5.00 (NOAA Scale
G1).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Dec 30-Jan 01 2026

             Dec 30       Dec 31       Jan 01
00-03UT       1.33         1.67         5.00 (G1)
03-06UT       1.33         1.67         4.33
06-09UT       1.33         2.00         3.67
09-12UT       1.33         2.00         3.33
12-15UT       1.67         2.33         3.33
15-18UT       2.00         2.67         4.00
18-21UT       2.67         3.33         3.67
21-00UT       3.00         4.33         3.33

Rationale: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are expected
through 31 Dec. G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are likely on 01 Jan due
to recurrent solar wind features combined with potential transient
features.

B. NOAA Solar Radiation Activity Observation and Forecast

Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was
below S-scale storm level thresholds.

Solar Radiation Storm Forecast for Dec 30-Jan 01 2026

              Dec 30  Dec 31  Jan 01
S1 or greater   10%     10%     10%

Rationale: There is a slight chance for a flux above the S1 (Minor) or
greater threshold due to the flaring potential of the active regions on
the visible solar disk.

C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast

Radio blackouts reaching the R1 levels were observed over the past 24
hours. The largest was at Dec 29 2025 0651 UTC.

Radio Blackout Forecast for Dec 30-Jan 01 2026

              Dec 30        Dec 31        Jan 01
R1-R2           55%           55%           55%
R3 or greater   10%           10%           10%

Rationale: R1/R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are likely on 30-31
Dec and 01 Jan due to the flare potential of the current active regions.
There is a slight chance for isolated R3 (Strong) events during the
3-day period.


Extended Space Weather Discussion:

Solar Activity

.24 hr Summary...
Solar activity was at moderate levels. Region 4324 (N25E37,
Dao/beta-gamma) produced an M2.2/1f peaking at 29/0002 UTC, likely with
the contribution of Region 4317 (N12W50, Cso/beta). Region 4317 was also
responsible for some of the C-class flares of the day. Region 4325
(S09E31, Dai/beta-gamma) became more magnetically complex and was
responsible for an M1.0/Sf flare peaking at 29/0651 UTC and multiple
C-class flares during the period. Four new active regions were numbered
during the day: Region 4328 (S14E23, Hrx/alpha), Region 4329 (S12E49,
Axx/alpha), Region 4330 (S16E54, Axx/alpha) and Region 4331 (S25E64,
Hsx/alpha).

Few eruptions were observed during the day at SUVI imagery: the first
from the cluster of active regions on the southeast quadrant around
29/1500 UTC, with a CME component first visible at coronagraph imagery
at 29/1536 UTC; the second from the northeast quadrant around 29/1800
UTC, likely associated with a C3.3 flare that peaked at 29/1827 UTC from
Region 4324, with a CME first appearance at coronagraph imagery at
29/1836 UTC; and the last one from the southwest quadrant (near Region
4321), around 29/1939 UTC, with a CME first observed at 29/2012 UTC).
All those events are being current analyzed.

.Forecast...
Solar activity is likely to be Minor to Moderate (R1/R2), with M-class
flares and a slight chance for X-class flares (R3-Strong) on 30 Dec, 31
Dec, and 01 Jan.

Energetic Particle

.24 hr Summary...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, measured at geostationary orbit,
reached high levels with a peak flux of 6,690 pfu observed at 29/1630
UTC. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels
during the period.

.Forecast...
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remained at moderate
to high levels on 30 Dec to 01 Jan. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux
is expected to remain at background levels through 01 Jan, with a slight
chance for a flux above the threshold of 10 pfu due to the flaring
potential of the active regions on the visible solar disk.

Solar Wind

.24 hr Summary...
Solar wind parameters reflected near-background conditions. Wind speeds
remained fairly steady through the period from about 375-475 km/s. Total
interplanetary magnetic field strength averaged between 3-8 nT. The Bz
component ranged between +/-6 nT during the day. Phi was predominantly
positive with multiple oscillations into a neutral to weakly negative
orientation at the first half of the day.

.Forecast...
Near background solar wind conditions are expected to prevail through 30
Dec. Solar wind parameters are expected to become enhanced by 31
Dec/early 01 Jan due to influence from a recurrent negative polarity CH
HSS, possibly combined with glancing CME effects from the CME that left
the Sun on 28 Dec.

Geospace

.24 hr Summary...
The geomagnetic field has been at quiet to unsettled levels for the past
24 hours.

.Forecast...
The geomagnetic activity is expected to remain at mostly quiet levels,
with possible isolated unsettled periods, on 30 Dec. Active periods are
likely late 31 Dec and Minor Storm (R1-Minor) periods are likely early
01 Jan due to the anticipated influences of a recurrent negative
polarity CH HSS combined with possible glancing CME effects from the CME
that left the Sun on 28 Dec.


27 Day Forecast:

Date | Radio Flux | Planetary A Index | Largest Kp Index
2025 Dec 29     185           5          2
2025 Dec 30     175           5          2
2025 Dec 31     170           8          3
2026 Jan 01     165          15          4
2026 Jan 02     160          18          4
2026 Jan 03     160          15          4
2026 Jan 04     155          12          4
2026 Jan 05     150           5          2
2026 Jan 06     155           5          2
2026 Jan 07     140           5          2
2026 Jan 08     130           5          2
2026 Jan 09     125          15          4
2026 Jan 10     120          10          4
2026 Jan 11     120           5          2
2026 Jan 12     120          10          4
2026 Jan 13     120          15          4
2026 Jan 14     115          15          4
2026 Jan 15     120           5          2
2026 Jan 16     120           5          2
2026 Jan 17     125          20          5
2026 Jan 18     135          20          5
2026 Jan 19     145          18          4
2026 Jan 20     155          18          4
2026 Jan 21     165           8          3
2026 Jan 22     165           8          3
2026 Jan 23     175           5          2
2026 Jan 24     175           5          2


  • GRAPH OPTIONS: Learn more
    It is recommended that you start out with the default options. As you get used to AF you can disable additional information and combine data series' together to maxamise the use of screen space.

  • DATA SOURCES: Learn more
    Some data sources can only be enabled or disabled via the tick box. Others are disabled using the slider set to 0, or enabled by setting the slider from 0.5 to 4. This number also represents the thinkness of the line plot onto the graph.

  • 'The' Aurora Forecast Index: Learn more
    These are two good options for predicting Auroras.

    The Aurora Forecast Index takes into account many data sources. As a general rule if it stays high for many hours there is a good possibility of an Aurora present.

    Aurora Forecast website usage is also a good indicator, as visitors to the site come from many traffic sources. General internet and community chatter transplating to visits is a great indicator.

  • Planatary K Index (Kp): Learn more
    The Kp number is a system of measuring aurora strength. The range goes from 0 to 9 (0 being calm, 1 very weak, all the way up to 9, which would represent a major geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible).

    Kp 5 and above is classified as a geomagnetic storm. Most Aurora Hunters consider prolonged 3+ or higher worth investigation.

  • Ovation (Model) Short Term Forecast (GW):' Learn more
    The Ovation-Prime Model produced by SWPC calculates the energy interacting with the Earths magnetic field. This is a good indicator for Aurora activity.
  • DSCOVR Observatory (L1): Learn more

    The DSCOVR or Deep Space Climate Obervatory sits 1.5 million Kilometers from Earth, between the Earth and the Sun in the L1 orbit point, the neutral gravity point between the Earth and the Sun. DSCOVR provides space weather readings, allowing for up to an hour of warning on weather events. This is why DSCOVR's data appears in the future on the graph.

    Strong negative Bz direction is linked to Aurora's because the solar wind magnetic direction is in direct oposition with the Earths magnetic field.

  • ACE Observatory (L1): Learn more

    ACE or Advanced Composition Explorer sits 1.5 million Kilometers from Earth, between the Earth and the Sun in the L1 orbit point, the neutral gravity point between the Earth and the Sun. ACE has now been replaced by DSCOVR, but the data is still useful for comparing to DSCOVR.
  • GOES Satalites: Learn more

    GOES or Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites sit 46 Kilometers above the Earth in geostationary orbit. They provide local space weather data and are a good indicator for current geomagnetic conditions.

  • Terrestrial Magnetometer Sources: Learn more
    Terrestrial or surface magnetometers detect fluctuations in the Earths magnetic field from the ground.
    These do not work as well as satalites as the magnetic field obsorbs some of the effects from the solar winds.
    There is a mix of govenment and citizen science stations listed here, including two run by Aurora Forecast in Hobart.
  • User Magnetometer ID's: Learn more
    If you have a TAFS Magnetometer and you want to add it to the graph you can do it here.
    Insent your Mag's Unique ID.

 

v4.16b

Aurora Forecast is free to use, however it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain. If you find it useful and are a regular user then please consider making a donation to keep it running. Feedback is always welcome.


v4.X Release 17th Dec 2020)
Fixed New GOES and HPI inputs from noaa for Json (17/12/20).
Addded the ability to add 2 custom Magnetometers in settings (comming soon) (18/10/19).
Improved Hobart Magnetometer code. (18/18/19)
Move all presets into their own pop out side menu. (19/06/19)
Added Composite weather maps (TAS, VIC and SA), thanks to Oz forecast! (19/06/19)
UI Upgrades, Name, Logo and Website Site Changes.
Added custom line widths for most items.
Added GOES Difference (#1 - #2)
Added Ovation-prime model outputs.

v3.8x
Various Updates, New AF Index Algo. (8/12/18)

v3.6x
Added more Presets. Disabled Presets overwriting graph views (6/7/18)
Added GeoSpace Kp Model Prediction. (3/7/18)
Added SWPC Kp Forecast + Observation. (2/7/18)
Removed WingKP and USKp. :( No longer Avaliable. (2/7/18)
Removed feed from www.dunedinaurora.nz (Unreliable). (2/7/18)
Updates to latest JQuery, JQuery Mobile and AmCharts etc. (2/7/18)
Enhanced Pro setting with Dynamic Preasure. (2/7/18)
Added Quickselect preset buttons to main page. (2/7/18)
 
v3.5x
Added Ruru Observatory Magnetometer. (25/4/28)
Added Forecast Sub Tabset. (1/3/18)
Added Extended Discussion Text, 27Day FC (1/3/18)
Removed Dial, and Added Forecast Report. (28/2/18)
Updated A few settings for better visilation. (28/2/18)
Updated Goes-13 is Now Goes-14 (15/2/18)
Improved Commmunity Activity for faster loads.
Consolidated Proton Density / Dynamic Preasure.
Added Additional Balloon Text.
Added TAFS Visual Probability in %.
User Interface Upgrades.
Add 'Dial' for the basics, with default support.
Added one click presets.
 
v2.1 - v2.49
Added 'Automatic Chart Update' option in settings.
Database caching enabled, significant load time improvements.
Extension to max 96 hours of data, up from 24.
Added ACE Bt,Bx and By for comparison.
Added More User Presets.
Fixed Orentation Change Alert.
Small layout changes.
Added Header Image.
Removed Top Header to fee up Space, Refresh added to Chart Tab.
Added Community Activity Indicator
Fixed MAG value issues in graph.
Added Second Hobart MAG Source.
Updated Comment Features (Disable).
 
v2.0
Fixed DSCOVR B? display bug.
Added MAG Stack Feature.
Upgrade to json feeds.
Feeds are timezone and forecast aware, making them super fast.
DB Optimisation, improved DB search times.
Charts are now zoomable, allow selection and export.
Added USAF Kp, Updated Wing Kp.
Added Ovation Aurora Short Term Forecast.
Added Macquarie Island MAG feed.
Added Mawson MAG Feed.
Added Canberra Feed.
Added MAG feed from www.dunedinaurora.nz (Portobello).
Added Brendan's experemental MAG feed (Hobart).
Fixed cookie bug, One Alert is enough for landscape mode.
 
> v1.0 (Started 20/10/2014)

  Mawson and Macquarie Island data is copyright Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia), and redistributed under Creative Commons v4.
Thanks to INTERMAGNET for promoting high standards of magnetic observatory practice in providing access to these feeds. (www.intermagnet.org).

Local Australian weather composite maps provided by Oz Forecast


Aurora Forecast is free to use, however it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain.
Why not make a donation to keep it running?
Feedback is always welcome. - ©2022 Brendan Davey