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Space weather products describe the conditions on the Sun, on Earth, and within Earth’s immediate environment that impact our communication, navigation, aviation, satellites, and electric power grids.
Similar to terrestrial weather, the products consist of
- forecasts,
- watches,
- warnings,
- and alerts of potentially hazardous conditions.
Space weather services allow users to be aware when adverse space weather might be occurring and to adjust their operations to minimize the impacts on their systems and customers.
For example, airlines may alter polar flights or electric power companies may adjust maintenance schedules during the forecasted and observed time periods of enhanced space weather activity.
See the table below for more examples.
Time Frame |
Type of Service |
Service |
Industries Impacted |
multi-year |
forecasts |
solar activity cycle |
satellite orbit planning |
27 day |
forecasts |
solar radio emissions |
radio communication planning |
1,2,&3 day |
forecasts |
solar x-rays, solar energetic protons, geomagnetic activity |
satellite and power grid operations |
30-60 minutes |
warnings |
geomagnetic storms |
aviation, satellite, navigation, and power grid operations |
real time |
alerts |
solar x-rays, solar energetic protons, geomagnetic activity, radiation belt electrons |
aviation, satellite, navigation, and power grid operations |