Space Weather Explained
What solar flares, geomagnetic storms and the solar wind actually mean — with the current conditions below. See the full live data dashboard →
Explanations by Spaceweathertracker staff · Last reviewed · Editorial standards · About
QUIET
Verified NOAA readings show calm conditions. No storm, radiation or radio-blackout activity is in effect.
What the Sun Is Doing Now
Solar flare activity is currently low, with the largest recent flare classified C2.2. Flares are ranked from A (weakest) through X (strongest); M-class and X-class flares are the ones capable of disrupting HF radio and GPS on Earth's sunlit side.
Between the Sun and Earth
Solar Wind Speed
331 km/s
Solar Wind Density
1.6 p/cm³
IMF Bz
2.7 nT
Planetary Kp
1.3
Source: NOAA SWPC (real-time solar wind and geomagnetic telemetry)
A southward-pointing Bz (a negative value) makes Earth's magnetic field more receptive to solar wind energy, which is why forecasters watch it closely alongside the raw solar wind speed.
Geomagnetic Storm Activity
Current geomagnetic activity is classified G0 — No storm, based on NOAA's official G-scale (G1 Minor through G5 Extreme).
There is currently no G3 or G4 geomagnetic storm in effect. NOAA's G-scale runs from G1 (Minor) to G5 (Extreme); most days are below G1 (no storm).
Aurora Potential
NOAA's OVATION model currently shows a peak overhead-aurora probability of about 17% at high latitudes, based on current Kp (1.3) and Bz conditions.
See the full aurora forecast and viewing map →Radiation Belts and What Space Weather Means for Earth
Earth is wrapped in two doughnut-shaped zones of high-energy particles — the Van Allen radiation belts — trapped by the planet's own magnetic field. During strong geomagnetic storms, energy from the solar wind can reshape these belts within hours, which is part of why satellite operators pay close attention to space weather. This page doesn't display live radiation-belt telemetry, since no verified real-time source for that exists in this site's current data pipeline — but the same geomagnetic activity shown above is a real, direct indicator of when the belts are most likely to be disturbed.
Beyond the belts, active space weather can also disrupt GPS accuracy, HF radio, and — in the strongest storms — power grids, alongside making aurora visible much farther from the poles than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "spaceweather" actually mean?
Spaceweather refers to changing solar and space conditions -- solar weather -- that can affect Earth, from radio blackouts to aurora. Following current sun activity is how forecasters build a real solar activity forecast and sunspot activity forecast.
What is a G3 geomagnetic storm?
A G3 geomagnetic storm is NOAA's "Strong" category on its 5-level G-scale. A G3 geomagnetic storm watch is issued when forecasters expect conditions to reach that level, typically pushing aurora visibility well beyond the polar regions.
What does a G4 solar storm mean?
A G4 solar storm -- storm G4 on NOAA's scale -- is one step below the most extreme category. A g4 geomagnetic storm NOAA forecast typically means significant g4 geomagnetic storm auroras, visible far from the poles, along with a real risk of power-grid and satellite disruption.
What is a solarflare, and how is it different from space weather aurora?
A solarflare is a sudden burst of radiation from the Sun, arriving at Earth in minutes -- distinct from the space weather aurora process, which follows a slower CME or solar-wind disturbance reaching Earth's magnetic field, often a day or more later.
What is the Van Allen belt?
The Van Allen belt (or belts) are the two donut-shaped radiation belt zones surrounding Earth, described in more detail above.
Sources
- NOAA Space Weather Scales (G, S and R) — NOAA SWPC — Official G1–G5, S1–S5 and R1–R5 definitions and average frequency per solar cycle.
- Geomagnetic Storms — NOAA SWPC — How CMEs and solar wind drive storms and the Kp-based G-scale.
- Planetary K-index — NOAA SWPC — Kp is an integer 0–9; 5 or more indicates a geomagnetic storm.
- Solar Flares (Radio Blackouts) — NOAA SWPC — A/B/C/M/X flare classes, each a tenfold step in X-ray flux.
- Solar Wind (real-time) — NOAA SWPC — Real-time solar wind and IMF measurements from spacecraft at L1.
- DONKI: Space Weather Database of Notifications, Knowledge, Information — NASA CCMC — NASA's catalogue of CMEs, flares, shocks and geomagnetic storms.