A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) associated with a filament eruption became visible on February 26 at 1448 UTC. Model analysis determined this CME to be a miss ahead of the Sun/Earth line.
Unsettled to active levels are likely on February 28 to March 1 as a Coronal Hole influence continues, and a glancing blow is possible from a Coronal Mass Ejection that occurred on February 25.
Solar activity is forecast to range from low to moderate levels through March 22.
Minor to Moderate activity (R1 to R2) is possible at different points throughout the period as active regions grow, evolve, and return from the far-side of the Sun. There is a slight chance for R3 (Major) or greater events if any of the active regions develop additional complex magnetic structures.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels until March 6 with periodic, weak Coronal Hole influences. Unsettled to active levels, with isolated G1 (Minor) storming conditions are likely from March 7 to 18 as recurrent negative polarity Coronal Holes are expected to be in a geoeffective position.
NOAA Space Weather forecasts a 55% chance of a Class-M flare, and a 10% chance of a Class-X flare, both within the next 48 hours (February 28 to March 1).
Weekly Commentary on the Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the Earth’s Ionosphere – February 27, 2025, by F. K. Janda, OK1HH:
“Solar activity is now increasing, but the increase is irregular, which causes, among other things, a decrease in the reliability of forecasts. Geomagnetically quiet periods, especially when associated with an increase in total solar activity (such as 20-23 February), are accompanied by improved conditions for ionospheric radio wave propagation. A subsequent disturbance can cause even further improvement (which happened on 24 February).
“Following the increase in solar flare activity (from 23 February), two proton flares were observed on 24 February. In the following days, the Earth’s ionosphere was under the influence of a solar-derived proton rain, after which the density of free electrons in it decreased due to recombination.
“However, the worsening of conditions was only noticeable on 25 February. The very next day, 26 February, there was an improvement, in particular an increase in the MUF on a global scale. The jump in the solar wind speed also contributed. However, the changes were so rapid, even within a single day, that our assessment of the level of conditions could have been reversed, depending on the time of day and the frequency bands used.
“The developments described can be considered as a harbinger of a March increase in solar activity. Since the Spring Equinox is approaching, it will contribute to an improvement in ionospheric shortwave propagation, more accurately called decameter waves. The possible shorter worse spells on March 1-2 and March 5-6 will make no difference, with the seasonal improvement not fully manifesting itself until the second half of the month.”
This weekend is the ARRL International DX SSB contest. Information can be found at: www.arrl.org/arrl-dx.
The predicted 10.7 cm flux for February 28 to March 6 is 195, 195, 190, 190, 190, 190, and 185, with a mean of 190.7. The predicted Planetary A Index for February 28 to March 6 is 12, 10, 8, 5, 5, 5, and 5, with a mean of 7.1. The predicted K Index for February 28 to March 6 is 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, and 2, with a mean of 2.6.
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