Quick Look at Current Cycle 25 Conditions:
(Data rounded to nearest whole number)
Sunspots:
Observed Monthly, February 2023: 111
12-month smoothed, August 2022: 92
10.7-cm Flux:
Observed Monthly, February 2023: 172
12-month smoothed, August 2022: 134
One Year Ago:
(Data rounded to nearest whole number)
Sunspots:
Observed Monthly, February 2022: 66
12-month smoothed, August 2021: 36
10.7-cm Flux:
Observed Monthly, February 2022: 109
12-month smoothed, August 2021: 86
March 2023 marked the first spectacular light show of Solar Cycle 25 (yes, there have been many days with aurora, but this March saw the most striking of this cycle so far). A powerful geomagnetic storm commenced toward the end of March 23, and by the early hours of March 24 reached a level G4 (Severe Geomagnetic Storm; see Figures 1 and 2). The Northern Lights were seen as far south as New Mexico and Virginia. Those witnessing the show at higher latitudes were awed by multi-colored aurora—including red, blue, green, and white!
It is somewhat unusual to see such a glorious multi-color display of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Most-auroral events so far in Cycle 25 have had the typical green glow.
With March and September being the peak months for auroral events, this March delivered a real treat of both an intense visual display and a strong radio event on VHF. These two peak months each year are tied to Earth’s
