📡 Propagation & Mode Forecast by M7SQI

Last Updated: 2026-08-24 22:00 UTC

🟥 D-Layer Absorption & Space Weather Monitor
Live DRAP/GOES-style view for “why did 40 m just go to the pub?” moments.

🌞 Solar & Space Weather Summary

HF propagation conditions including MUF, aurora and band status

📶 HF Band Conditions

⚠️ Propagation Report Triggered Early
WWV Alert: G1–G2 geomagnetic storm warning issued

📡 2 m VHF Forecast (FT8/FT4/SSB)

Tropo conditions: Enhanced tropo expected over southern UK and nearby coasts.

External tropo check: F5LEN Europe Tropo Forecast
Mode guide: Tropo mode definitions (TR / AP / ducting etc.)

📋 Summary by Mode

🔔 Alerts & Notes

🗓️ 3-Day Forecast (SWPC)

A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast

The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 2 (below NOAA
Scale levels).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Aug 24-Aug 26 2026 is 2.33 (below NOAA
Scale levels).

NOAA Kp index breakdown Aug 24-Aug 26 2026

             Aug 24       Aug 25       Aug 26
00-03UT       2.33         1.67         1.67     
03-06UT       1.67         1.67         1.67     
06-09UT       1.00         1.33         1.67     
09-12UT       0.67         1.33         1.33     
12-15UT       0.67         1.33         0.67     
15-18UT       0.67         1.33         1.33     
18-21UT       1.00         1.67         1.67     
21-00UT       1.67         1.33         1.67     

Rationale: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are expected.  No
significant transient or recurrent solar wind features are forecast.
Show Solar Radiation (Section B)
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 Aug 24-Aug 26 2026

              Aug 24  Aug 25  Aug 26
S1 or greater   25%     10%     10%

Rationale: There is a chance for the greater than 10 MeV proton flux to
reach S1 (Minor) levels on 24 Aug, with a slight chance for S1 levels on
25-26 Aug.
  
Show Radio Blackouts (Section C)
C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast

No radio blackouts were observed over the past 24 hours.

Radio Blackout Forecast for Aug 24-Aug 26 2026

              Aug 24        Aug 25        Aug 26
R1-R2           45%           45%           45%
R3 or greater   10%           10%           10%

Rationale: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts,
and a slight chance for an R3 (Strong) or greater event, over 24-26 Aug.
  

🗞️ Weekly Highlights & 27-Day Outlook (SWPC)

Issued: 2026 Aug 24 1801 UTC

Highlights of Solar & Geomagnetic Activity
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
17 - 23 August 2026

Solar activity reached moderate levels on 19, 20 and 21 Aug and was
at low levels on 17, 18, 22, and 23 Aug. Region 4513 (N04, L=50,
class/area Ekc/260 on 22 Aug) was the main contributor of M-class
flares, producing four out of the five M-flares observed. The
largest, an M8.1/Sf flare that peaked at 20/1142 UTC, had an
associated Type II radio sweep (estimated speed of 1201 km/s) and a
non-Earth-directed CME. Region 4513 also produced an M1.0 flare at
19/1824 UTC, an M1.8/Sf flare at 20/0805 UTC, and an M2.9/Sf flare
at 20/1611 UTC, as well as multiple C-class flares. Region 4507
(N04, L=197, class/area Ehi/300 on 18 Aug) added an M1.6 flare at
21/1017 UTC and multiple C-class flares as well. 

Although proton levels never reached the S1 (Minor) storm threshold,
the greater than 10 MeV flux levels at geosynchronous orbit were
slightly enhanced between 3-6 pfu on 17-23 Aug. This enhancement was
likely associated with an energetic event from at or just beyond the
western limb on 21 Aug. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at
normal to moderate levels on 17-20 and 23 Aug, and reached high
levels on 21-22 Aug.  

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels on 17 Aug,
reached G1 (Minor) storm levels on 18-19 Aug, quiet to unsettled on
20-21 Aug, and returned to quiet levels on 22-23 Aug. The elevated
conditions on 17-19 Aug were attributed to the flanking influence
from a CME that left the Sun on 14 Aug, combined with the onset of a
CIR ahead of a negative polarity CH HSS. The slightly elevated
activity continued on 20-21 Aug as influence from the negative
polarity CH HSS persisted, and then decreased by 22-23
Aug.
  
Forecast of Solar & Geomagnetic Activity (Weekly)
Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
24 August - 19 September 2026

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels, with a chance for
M-class flares (R1/R2-Minor/Moderate) and a slight chance for
X-class (R3-Strong) flares on 24 Aug - 03 Sep, mainly attributed to
the flare activity and magnetic complexity of Region 4513. Activity
is then likely to decrease to just a slight chance for M-class
flares (R1/R2-Minor/Moderate) from 04 Sep - 19 Sep. 

There is a slight chance for a greater than 10 MeV proton event on
24 Aug - 03 Sep, mainly attributed to the magnetic complexity of
Region 4513. No proton events are expected from 04 Sep - 19 Sep. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to be at high levels on 24-27 and 30 Aug, and then again on
16-18 Sep. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 28-29 and 31
Aug, and then from 31 Aug- 15 Sep and 19 Sep, 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to unsettled
throughout the entire period, with a chance for active conditions 28
Aug, and 13-14 Sep, all attributed to coronal hole high speed stream
influence.
  

27-Day Outlook (first 14 days)

Date (UTC)F10.7ApLargest Kp
2026-08-2412552
2026-08-2512052
2026-08-2612052
2026-08-2712052
2026-08-28120103
2026-08-2912083
2026-08-3012052
2026-08-3112052
2026-09-0112052
2026-09-0211552
2026-09-0310052
2026-09-049583
2026-09-059583
2026-09-069052

📡 Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) Summary

Modelled MUF estimates based on current solar indices and UTC hour.

PathEstimated MUFNotes
Western Europe → East Coast NA24 MHz20 m stable; 15 m closes by dusk
Western Europe → South America26 MHz17/20 m steady south path
Western Europe → Oceania (Short)19 MHzBest chance at greyline; 17 m possible
Western Europe → SE Asia22 MHz20 m stable route; 17 m variable
Western Europe → Trans-equatorial Africa25 MHz17/20 m workable into night

⚠️ HF Blackout / DRAP Activity

Latest DRAP absorption map (courtesy of NOAA SWPC):

DRAP Absorption Map

Dark red areas indicate significant D-layer absorption. Useful for spotting potential HF blackouts.

📍 Additional Visual Resources

G7IZU HF MUF Plot (Latest):

G7IZU HF MUF Plot

G7IZU Sporadic-E Map (Latest):

G7IZU Sporadic-E Map

Both images auto-refresh regularly and reflect near-real-time ionospheric and Es propagation.


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