Magnetic storms today
State of the magnetosphere on 10/8/2026. Kp index, storm classification and a 72-hour forecast.
Magnetosphere is quiet. No geomagnetic disturbances expected.
Last 24 hours
NOAA 3-day forecast
NOAA SWPC 3-day forecast (raw text)
:Product: 3-Day Forecast
:Issued: 2026 Oct 08 0030 UTC
# Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
#
A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast
The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 3 (below NOAA
Scale levels).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Oct 08-Oct 10 2026 is 5.67 (NOAA Scale
G2).
NOAA Kp index breakdown Oct 08-Oct 10 2026
Oct 08 Oct 09 Oct 10
00-03UT 2.00 1.67 4.00
03-06UT 1.67 5.00 (G1) 3.67
06-09UT 1.33 4.33 3.00
09-12UT 1.00 5.67 (G2) 3.00
12-15UT 1.00 4.00 2.67
15-18UT 1.67 3.00 2.33
18-21UT 1.67 3.00 2.33
21-00UT 1.67 4.00 2.67
Rationale: G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storms are likely on 09
Oct due to the anticipated arrival of a CME from 06 Oct.
B. NOAA Solar Radiation Activity Observation and Forecast
Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was
below S-scale storm level thresholds.
Solar Radiation Storm Forecast for Oct 08-Oct 10 2026
Oct 08 Oct 09 Oct 10
S1 or greater 10% 10% 10%
Rationale: There is a slight chance (10%) for a greater than 10 MeV
proton event exceeding the 10 pfu (S1-Minor) threshold through 10 Oct.
C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast
No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours.
Radio Blackout Forecast for Oct 08-Oct 10 2026
Oct 08 Oct 09 Oct 10
R1-R2 40% 40% 40%
R3 or greater 5% 5% 5%
Rationale: Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a strong
chance (40%) for further M-class flares (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) through
10 Oct, particularly from Region 4549 and possibly Region 4545.
More about today's magnetic storm
Today the planetary Kp = 0.7 (quiet). The maximum over the last 24 hours reached Kp = 2.7 (quiet). Readings arrive from NOAA every 60 seconds; the table above shows the last 24 hours in 3-hour steps — the standard Kp calculation period.
How a magnetic storm forms: the Sun releases streams of charged particles — the solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Reaching Earth in 1–3 days they compress the magnetosphere and cause fluctuations in the surface magnetic field, which ground-based magnetometers register as the Kp index.
On this page you can see the current Kp on a dial, the hourly table for the last 24 hours, the official NOAA 3-day forecast and a description of the current G1–G5 storm level. During a G1+ storm weather-sensitive people may notice blood-pressure swings, headaches or sleep changes — staying hydrated and avoiding intense physical load is advised.
Hourly dynamics over the last 24 hours. Kp peaked at 2.7 around 15:00 UTC and bottomed out at 0.7 near 09:00 UTC. The trend over the past 6 hours is rising — the geomagnetic field is still building up energy.
Dst and storm days this month. The Dst index right now is 0 nT — a quiet ring current. Unlike Kp, which is reported in 3-hour windows, Dst refreshes every hour and is considered the primary measure of a geomagnetic storm's magnitude. So far this month the planet has logged 2 days reaching G1 or stronger.