:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2018 Apr 16 0126 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
09 - 15 April 2018

Solar activity was at very low levels with a few isolated B-class
flares observed. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at
moderate levels on 09 Apr and high levels on 10-15 Apr. The largest
flux of the period was 25,451 pfu observed at 12/2155 UTC. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels from 09-13
Apr due to negative polarity CH HSS effects. An isolated G1 (Minor)
storm period was observed early on 11 Apr. Quiet conditions were
observed on 14-15 Apr. 

The period began with solar wind speeds at about 375 km/s, total
field (Bt) at about 3 nT, Bz weakly negative to about -3 nT and the
phi angle in a positive orientation. Early on the 9th, an SSBC from
a positive to a negative orientation occurred coupled with a CIR in
advance of a recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS. Winds speeds
gradually increased in near 580 km/s by 11/0700 UTC, Bt peaked at 9
nT on the 11th and the Bz component was variable between +9 nT to
-7nT early on 10 Apr. The period ended with wind speeds near 300
km/s coupled with a weak magnetic sturcture. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
16 April - 12 May 2018

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the
period. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to be high levels on 16-30 Apr and 07-12 May due to
recurrent CH HSS effects. Normal to moderate levels are expected
from 01-06 May. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be unsettled to active
levels on 19-20 Apr and 06-10 May due to recurrent CH HSS effects.
Mostly quiet levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook
period.