Summary For February 7-13

A coronal mass ejection caused a Category 3 (strong) geomagnetic storm on Feb.12. Category G3 storms typically affect satellite operations by causing surface charging on satellite components, increased atmospheric drag, and orientation problems requiring corrections. Category G3 storms are also associated with adverse effects on electrical power grids including false alarms triggered on protective devices, voltage fluctuations, and high "gas-in-oil" transformer readings. Other adverse
system effects resulting from G3 storms include intermittent satellite navigation and low-frequency navigation problems, intermittent HF radio reception, and aurora displays as far south as the middle latitudes.

Isolated Category R1 (minor) radio blackouts occurred on Feb. 9 and 12 due to moderate-sized solar flares. Category R1 radio blackouts typically cause minor degradation of HF radio communication signals as well as brief degradation of low-frequency navigation signals affecting maritime and general aviation positioning (with effects limited to the sunlit portion of Earth's atmosphere).

Outlook For February 16-22 No space weather storms are expected during the period.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services  and other observatories, universities, and institutions. More information is available at SEC's Web site http://sec.noaa.gov

Mitch Battros
Producer - Earth Changes TV
http://www.earthchangesTV.com