NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

SWPC update 16 Mar 1022am EDT. Where is the first of the CMEs? This video update explains more about CMEs, hints of CME movement through space, uncertainty, & about the expected CH HSS as well. All this as part of our 19-21 Mar G2 forecast. Stay aware at spaceweather.gov

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 19: G2 (Moderate) Mar 20: G2 (Moderate) Mar 21: G2 (Moderate) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 18 2114 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

G2 Watch is out 19-21 March due to a mix of potential CME arrivals and CH HSS effects. While there is a high level of uncertainty related to the CME arrivals, there is more certainty regarding the likely CH HSS effects to begin 21 March. Stay informed at spaceweather.gov

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 18: None (Below G1) Mar 19: G2 (Moderate) Mar 20: G1 (Minor) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 17 1836 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

A G2 (Moderate) Geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issued for 19 Mar 2026 (UTC day) due to the arrival of CMEs that left the Sun on 16 Mar. For more information, see: youtube.com/shorts/MZIjop9…

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 17: None (Below G1) Mar 18: None (Below G1) Mar 19: G2 (Moderate) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 16 2108 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

Solar flare and CME. This latest SWPC video tells you about this morning's solar flare, associated CME, and how we look for and analyze these CMEs. A G2 (Moderate) Watch is now out for 19 March as a result of our preliminary analyses. Stay informed at spaceweather.gov

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 17: None (Below G1) Mar 18: None (Below G1) Mar 19: G2 (Moderate) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 16 2025 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

A solar flare occurred early on 16 March from the SE quadrant of the Sun. There are indications of a possible associated CME, however, SWPC forecasters await available coronagraph imagery to confirm if a CME did occur and if so, to analyze it accordingly.

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 15: G1 (Minor) Mar 16: None (Below G1) Mar 17: None (Below G1) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 14 1704 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Extension to Serial Number: 2206 Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 1152 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Mar 14 2100 UTC Warning Condition: Persistance Issue Time: 2026 Mar 14 0542 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected Extension to Serial Number: 643 Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 2338 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Mar 14 1500 UTC Warning Condition: Persistence Issue Time: 2026 Mar 14 0528 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-Index of 6 expected Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 2338 UTC Valid To: 2026 Mar 14 0600 UTC Warning Condition: Onset NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate Issue Time: 2026 Mar 13 2338 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Extension to Serial Number: 2205 Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 1152 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Mar 14 0600 UTC Warning Condition: Persistance Issue Time: 2026 Mar 13 2058 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Extension to Serial Number: 2205 Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 1152 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Mar 13 2100 UTC Warning Condition: Onset Issue Time: 2026 Mar 13 1756 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Valid From: 2026 Mar 13 1152 UTC Valid To: 2026 Mar 13 1800 UTC Warning Condition: Onset NOAA Scale: G1 - Minor Issue Time: 2026 Mar 13 1152 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

The weekend forecast for 13-15 March calls for G1 chances due to coronal hole high speed stream influences. What are these features? To learn more about them and how they can impact the forecast, watch this SWPC video and let us know what you think about short videos like this.

WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Mar 12: None (Below G1) Mar 13: G1 (Minor) Mar 14: G1 (Minor) Issue Time: 2026 Mar 11 2152 UTC bit.ly/3wVgAKH

A CH HSS increases probability for G1-Minor storm levels Friday, 13 Mar. Effects of the CH HSS are anticipated to continue through the weekend, with active conditions the most likely, but a chance for isolated G1 levels exists on Saturday. Visit spaceweather.gov for more.

It's that time of year known as eclipse season for NOAA GOES satellites. The Earth will have more visual impacts on imagery, especially for GOES-19 CCOR-1 during this time of year.