Space Weather

Real-time solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, and aurora forecasts for Central New York
Data from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and your local weather station

Real NOAA Data Available

Using real-time data from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. All scales and conditions are current.

Current Space Weather Conditions

Geomagnetic Activity (Kp)

Kp Index

Solar Wind Speed

406.0

km/s

Solar Wind Density

0.65

p/cm³

Solar Wind Temperature

32762

Solar Flux (F10.7)

232

sfu

Local Solar Radiation

W/m²

UV Index

0.0

UV Index

Space Weather Alerts

Current Alert Level: Watch

Minor geomagnetic activity possible. Monitor space weather conditions.

Solar Flare Probability

Alert Level

Watch

NOAA Space Weather Scales

Radio Blackout Scale

R-Scale

Solar Radiation Scale

S-Scale

Geomagnetic Scale

G-Scale

Aurora Forecast for Central New York

Aurora Viewline Forecasts

Tonight's Forecast

Tomorrow Night's Forecast

Northern Lights Forecast

Aurora Probability

19%

Visibility

Poor

Night Time

Yes

Sunrise/Sunset

6:56 am / 6:50 pm

Aurora visibility is best during dark hours away from city lights. Higher Kp values indicate better aurora viewing conditions.

Real-time Aurora Ovation Plots

Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere

How Kp Affects Aurora Visibility

Kp = 3 (Quiet)

Quiet Aurora

Kp = 5 (Moderate)

Moderate Aurora

Kp = 7 (Active)

Active Aurora

Kp = 9 (Very Active)

Very Active Aurora

Space Weather Summary & Education

Understanding Aurora & Space Weather

What is the Aurora? The aurora (northern and southern lights) are colorful displays of light that occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. The aurora's colorful green, red, and purple light shifts gently and often changes shape like softly blowing curtains.

What Drives the Aurora? The Planetary K-index (Kp) measures geomagnetic activity on a scale of 0-9. Higher Kp values indicate stronger geomagnetic storms and better aurora viewing conditions:

Kp 0-2: Quiet conditions, aurora unlikely
Kp 3-4: Minor activity, aurora possible at high latitudes
Kp 5: Minor storm, aurora visible in northern US
Kp 6-7: Moderate storm, good aurora viewing
Kp 8-9: Strong storm, aurora visible at lower latitudes

Best Viewing Tips:

View during dark hours away from city lights
Look toward the northern horizon
Monitor space weather forecasts for activity
Higher Kp values = better viewing conditions

NOAA Advisory Outlook & Forecasts

Official NOAA Space Weather Advisory

Summary Period

September 15-21

Outlook Period

September 22-28

Geomagnetic Activity

G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms were observed on 16 Sep.
G3 (strong) geomagnetic storms were observed on 15 Sep.
G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms are likely on 22 Sep.

Radio Blackout Activity

R1 (minor) solar radiation storms were observed on 19 Sep.

3-Day Geomagnetic Forecast

Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities

Active                25/35/35

Minor storm           05/20/10

Moderate storm        01/05/05

Strong-Extreme storm  01/01/01

Kp Index Forecast (Next 3 Days)

00-03UT        2.33      3.00      3.33

03-06UT        2.00      2.33      3.67

06-09UT        2.00      2.33      3.00

09-12UT        1.67      3.00      3.00

12-15UT        2.00      3.33      2.67

15-18UT        2.00      4.00      2.67

18-21UT        2.00      4.00      2.00

21-00UT        3.00      3.67      2.00

Real-Time Solar Images

SDO/HMI Continuum

SDO/HMI Magnetogram

SOHO EIT 171 (1M°K)

SOHO EIT 195 (1.5M°K)

GOES SUVI 195Å

GOES SUVI 304Å

CCOR-1 Coronagraph

LASCO C2 Coronagraph

Images from NASA SOHO and SDO satellites. Different wavelengths show solar material at various temperatures. Bright areas indicate active regions and potential solar flares.

Additional NOAA Resources

Educational Resources

NOAA Dashboards

Real-time Data

Data Sources

Current Data Sources:

• NOAA SWPC Scales API

• NOAA Solar Wind Data

• NOAA Radio Flux Data

• NOAA Advisory Outlook

• NOAA 3-Day Geomagnetic Forecast

• NOAA Solar Wind Plasma Data

• NOAA Solar Wind Ephemerides

• NASA APOD API

Data Sources: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, NASA SOHO/SDO, and your local weather station. Images courtesy of NASA/ESA SOHO and NASA SDO.

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 10:36 PM EDT