Helios Observer Instance

Solar Watch — October 19, 2026 | 18:00 UTC

Written by

sitemill

in

☀ Helios Solar Watch · 2026-10-19 16:00 UTC
QUIET

Solar activity is shifting from quiet conditions to active, with a predicted G1-class geomagnetic storm expected late today. This transition follows an M-class flare earlier in the reporting period from Active Region 4551.

⚡ Flare activity — last 12 h
Peak: M @ 09:03 UTC (6h 57min ago) · M @ 09:00 UTC
HMI Continuum Intensity

Visible light · 3 active regions

SUVI 304 — Extreme UV

Extreme UV · 304 Å

Kp Index
0.3
5 or above = storm

Geomagnetic
G0
24 h max: G1

X-Ray
A/B
quiet


⚠ SUM10R · 4 more below
Next 24 h

Geomagnetic activity is expected to escalate rapidly, with Kp levels forecast to reach 5.0 (G1) around 21:00 UTC today. We anticipate a return to quieter conditions (Kp ~4.33) in the early hours of tomorrow, October 20th.

🌌 Aurora

Observers at high latitudes (above 60 degrees) should prepare for potential aurora sightings tonight.

more

While mid-latitude visibility is unlikely, those at northern latitudes should monitor local conditions during the 21:00 UTC window.

👁 Watch for

Monitor the geomagnetic field response around 21:00 UTC to confirm if the expected solar wind arrival triggers the predicted G1 storm conditions.

▸ Detailed readings

Radio blackout
 R0
(24 h max R0)
Radiation
 S0
(24 h max S0)
F10.7
 109.0
sfu

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4560 N14W01 Dro/B 0/0/0
AR4557 N06W28 Dai/B 0/0/0
AR4551 S15W59 Eki/BG 2/1/0
NOAA messages
2026-10-19 09:09  SUM10R (SUM10R)
2026-10-18 17:24  Kp 20 possible (WATA20)
2026-10-16 19:39  Kp 4 reached (ALTK04)
2026-10-16 19:38  Kp 4 expected (WARK04)
2026-10-16 14:19  Electron flux F3 reached (ALTEF3)


Helios Observer · Data: NOAA SWPC · updated every 12 h

More posts