Space Weather
Space weather describes changing environmental conditions in near-Earth space. Magnetic fields, radiation, particles and matter, which have been ejected from the Sun, can interact with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and surrounding magnetic field to produce a variety of effects.
Space weather notifications
There are currently no active notifications.
Aurora forecasts
Northern Hemisphere
The auroral oval is expected to at background levels initially. Increased visibility at high latitudes is possible late UTC on 03 June and into 04 June with the onset of a coronal hole fast wind, however, limited hours of darkness at this time of year is likely to inhibit visibility of aurora.
Southern Hemisphere
The auroral oval is expected to at background levels initially. Increased visibility at high latitudes is possible late UTC on 03 June and into 04 June with the onset of a coronal hole fast wind, however, limited hours of darkness at this time of year is likely to inhibit visibility of aurora.
Issued at: 14:09 (GMT) on Tue 2 Jun 2026
Forecast overview
Space Weather Forecast Headline: Chance of further Moderate solar flares. Slight chance of G1/Kp5 geomagnetic activity Days 2-3 (03-04 June).
Analysis of Space Weather Activity over past 24 hours
Solar Activity: Moderate, with two low-level Moderate-class flare observed during the period, peaking at 02/1005 UTC from a moderately sized region, currently located in the north-centre disc.
There are ten sunspot regions on the visible disc. The north-centre disc region increased in size and magnetic complexity during the period with the development an arc of small negative polarity spots to the south and west of the large, positive mature spot. Minor shearing of these spots was evident in available imagery indicating increased magnetic instability and evidence of flux emergence.
Elsewhere, a region in the southeast underwent a period of growth and consolidation, however, in recent hours that development has paused and low Common-class flaring has decreased in frequency. A new sunspot group was numbered in the northeast, presenting as a small, simple group, meanwhile new, small region developed in the southwest and a moderately complex sunspot group rotated into view in the southeast of the visible disc. All other regions appeared stable with limited development observed.
Initial coronagraph signatures from the low-end Moderate flare of the north-centre sunspot group indicate a likely candidate for an Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). Once additional solar imagery become available for the event then the CME will be assessed and modelled.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: Solar winds were at normal background to Slightly Elevated levels, starting around 400-430km/s, decreasing to around 400km/s by the end of the period. The Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) was Weak. The important north-south component of the IMF also varied weakly. Geomagnetic activity was Quiet to Unsettled (Kp 1-3).
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: Solar radiation levels were at normal background values.
Four-Day Space Weather Forecast Summary
Solar Activity: Mainly Low or Moderate, with a chance of further Moderate-class flares. Should the sunspot in the north-centre disc continue to develop then High activity could be reached, either as a result of more frequent Moderate flares, or isolated Strong flares occurring.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: No Earth-directed CMEs currently feature in the forecast, however, a candidate event from the low-end Moderate flare of the north-centre sunspot region on 02 June indicates a possible an Earth-directed CME. Once sufficient solar imagery becomes available then the CME will be assessed and modelled.
Normal background to Slightly Elevated solar winds should persist until either late Day 2 (03 June) or Day 3 (04 June) as a trans-equatorial coronal hole becomes geo-effective. Speeds should increase to Elevated or Strong levels (most likely 550-600km/s) following this onset, then likely falling away from peak speeds during Day 4 (05 June).
Quiet to Unsettled geomagnetic activity is expected throughout Day 1 (02 June). Following the onset of the coronal hole fast wind either late Day 2 (03 June) or on Day 3 (04 June) activity will likely increase to Unsettled to Active levels with a slight chance of isolated G1/Kp5 intervals occurring. By Day 4 (05 June) activity should trend to Quiet or Unsettled again, though dependent on any anticipated CME analysis currently pending.
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: Solar Radiation counts are at normal background levels and expected to remain so through the period.
Issued at: 12:29 (GMT) on Tue 2 Jun 2026
Solar imagery
SDO AIA-193
This channel highlights the outer atmosphere of the Sun - called the corona - as well as hot flare plasma. Hot active regions, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections will appear bright here. The dark areas - called coronal holes - are places where very little radiation is emitted, yet are the main source of solar wind particles.
Issued at:
SDO AIA-304
This channel is especially good at showing areas where cooler dense plumes of plasma (filaments and prominences) are located above the visible surface of the Sun. Many of these features either can't be seen or appear as dark lines in the other channels. The bright areas show places where the plasma has a high density.
Issued at: