:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2016 Apr 11 0439 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
04 - 10 April 2016

Solar activity was at very low levels on 04-05 April with low levels
observed from 06-10 April as Region 2529 (N09, L=341, class/area,
Eki/820 on 10 April) began its transit across the solar disk. The
region emerged as a large bipolar group that produced 15 low level
C-class flares during the period. The largest flare was a
long-duration C2 at 09/1342 UTC, however it also produced another
long-duration C1 flare at 10/0934 UTC. Other activity included a 10
degree filament eruption, centered near N18E29, that erupted
beginning at approximately 10/1000 UTC. An associated CME was
observed off the NE limb at 10/1100 UTC. The CME is currently being
analyzed, however it is likely that little to no impacts will occur
given its location and direction.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at
high levels from 04-07 April with normal levels observed from 08-10
April. The highest flux value observed for the period was 3,924 pfu
at 05/1605 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to (G1) minor storm
levels. Solar wind parameters were at mostly nominal levels through
the period until a solar sector boundary crossing (SSBC) occurred
around 07/1737 UTC. During this time, total field increased to a
maximum of 13 nT while the Bz component deflected southward for
approximately 8 hours reaching a maximum of -13 nT. The geomagnetic
field responded with G1-minor storm levels late on 07 April through
early on 08 April.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
11 April - 07 May 2016

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a slight chance
for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares until Region 2529 rotates
off the NW limb on 21 April. Very low levels are expected from 22
April through 03 May. Low levels are expected once again from 04-07
May with the return of Region 2529.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to be at high levels on 15-18, 24-28, and 30 April - 02 May
due to coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) influence. Normal to
moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook
period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active
levels on 12-15, 23-26, and 29-30 April with G1-minor storm levels
likely on 13-14 and 29 April due to recurrent CH HSS activity.
Unsettled to active levels are also likely on 04 May due to activity
associated with an SSBC.