March 2020

Propagation Summary

The sun has been blank (no sunspots for 36 consecutive days.  This is a sign that that solar minimum is still underway despite recent signs of life from Solar Cycle 25.  During Solar Minimum, auroras are confined mainly to the Arctic.    The next episode will have occurred on 2-3 March, when a minor stream of solar wind reached earth.  http://bit.ly/2T6mlJw

The NOAA/ NASA solar prediction panel predicts solar minimum to occurring in April 2020 (+/+ six months.  The panel agreed that cycle 25 will be average in intensity and similar to solar cycle 24 with a peak on July 2025 (+/- 8 months), with a smoothed sunspot number of 115 which would make Solar cycle 25 very similar to solar cycles 24.  http://bit.ly/2T6mlJw

Propagation Forecast

Solar activity is expected to be very low on 29 Feb to 2 March due to a minor stream of solar wind.  Quiet to unsettled conditions are likely until 18-2 o March when another minor event is forecast.

The Geomagnetic field is forecast to be at quiet to active levels on 1-2 March followed by quiet to unsettled conditions until March 18-20 when quiet to active conditions are likely.  http://bit.ly/2jEdqR6