Product: 3-Day Forecast
- Issued: 2026 Jan 20 1230 UTC
Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center.
The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 8.67 (NOAA
Scale G4).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Jan 20-Jan 22 2026 is 8.00 (NOAA Scale
G4).
| Jan 20 | Jan 21 | Jan 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00-03UT | 6.33 (G2) | 4.33 | 4.00 |
| 03-06UT | 5.67 (G2) | 4.67 (G1) | 3.33 |
| 06-09UT | 7.67 (G4) | 4.33 | 3.00 |
| 09-12UT | 8.00 (G4) | 3.00 | 2.67 |
| 12-15UT | 6.67 (G3) | 2.33 | 3.00 |
| 15-18UT | 5.67 (G2) | 2.67 | 3.00 |
| 18-21UT | 6.00 (G2) | 3.00 | 3.33 |
| 21-00UT | 4.67 (G1) | 3.33 | 3.67 |
Rationale: G1-G4 (Minor-Severe) geomagnetic storms are anticipated on 20-21 Jan due to continuing CH HSS influence and the passage of a halo CME that arrived late on 19 Jan.
Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was above S-scale storm level thresholds.
| Jan 20 | Jan 21 | Jan 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 or greater | 99% | 75% | 45% |
Rationale: S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms are expected to continue through 20 Jan, with the possibility of another crossing or slow decay keeping 21-22 Jan probabilities elevated.
No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours.
| Jan 20 | Jan 21 | Jan 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1-R2 | 60% | 60% | 60% |
| R3 or greater | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Rationale: R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are likely, with a slight chance for R3 (Strong) events, on 20-22 Jan.
| eit 171 | eit 195 | eit 284 | eit 304 |
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Images: From left to right: EIT 171, EIT 195, EIT 284, EIT 304 EIT (Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) images the solar atmosphere at several wavelengths, and therefore, shows solar material at different temperatures. In the images taken at 304 Angstrom the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 degrees Kelvin. In those taken at 171 Angstrom, at 1 million degrees. 195 Angstrom images correspond to about 1.5 million Kelvin, 284 Angstrom to 2 million degrees. The hotter the temperature, the higher you look in the solar atmosphere. | |||
| SDO/HMI Continuum |
SDO/HMI Magnetogram |
LASCO C2 | LASCO C3 |
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The MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) images shown here are taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line.
The most prominent features are the sun spots. |
LASCO (Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph) is able to take images of the solar corona by blocking the light coming directly from the Sun with an occulter disk, creating an artificial eclipse within the instrument itself. |
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Bigger versions of this page in a new window: New regular size page, New 1280×1024 window, and New 1600×1200 window. |
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| Sunspot numbers | F10.7CM Radio flux | AP |
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for more information | ||
The Solar Cycle is observed by counting the frequency and placement of sunspots visible on the Sun. Solar minimum occurred in December, 2008. Solar maximum in May, 2013. | ||
| Solar wind | Satellite impact | Xray flux |
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for more information | for more information | for more information |
On the left: Real-Time Solar Wind data broadcast from NASA's ACE satellite. Middle: The Satellite Environment Plot combines satellite and ground-based data to provide an overview of the current geosynchronous satellite environment. Right: 3-days of 5-minute solar x-ray flux values measured on the SWPC primary and secondary GOES satellites. | ||
| Northern Auroral map | Southern Auroral map |
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Conditions on the Sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health. This introduction movie in the English language will open on a new tab/window when you click on the image below.
Also in Quicktime format: Large (269M) and Small ( 60M).
Losts of interesting information
Space Weather Images and Information (excluded from copyright) courtesy of:
NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center,
Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (HAO/NCAR),
and SOHO (ESA & NASA).