Sunspot numbers and solar flux increased last week, when the average daily sunspot number rose nearly 31 points and the solar flux was up by nearly 11. Geomagnetic indices have been quite active of late, although this week was quieter than last. Generally HF operators appreciate A indices of 10 or lower, but November 1 was the only day in the past two weeks that the Planetary A index was ever as low as 10.
Lately our planet has been inside a constant solar wind from a coronal hole. Over the past week conditions haven't been so stormy that they would produce lower latitude auroras like they did back on October 24 and 25.
A huge sunspot (number 180) has been squarely earth-directed in the center of the visible solar disk for the past couple of days, and the daily sunspot number from Monday through Thursday has risen from 166 to 175, 234 and 259. This sunspot presents a threat of solar flares. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday is 10, 10, 20 and 20. Solar flux is expected to remain fairly high over the next few days.
A year ago this bulletin reported that the sunspot numbers were a small amount lower than this week (less than 4 points) and the solar flux was about 60 points higher. The latest Preliminary Report and Forecast of Solar Geophysical Data shows that smoothed solar flux should be about 44 points lower a year from now, and the latest prediction for the next solar minimum is around September 2006 through April 2007 for solar flux and centered right around December 2006 to January 2007 for smoothed sunspot number.
Here are monthly averages for solar flux and sunspot numbers for this year. From January through October, 2002 the average daily solar flux for each month was 189, 194.5, 154.3, 144.4, 146, 183.5, 191, 206.4, and 153.9. Average daily solar flux for the same months was 227.3, 205, 179.2, 141.4, 148.7, 174.4, 183.9, 175.8 and 167.
From Seattle, 20 meters from 1630-1730 and 1930-0500z, 15 meters 2130-0230z, 10 meters 2200-0100z.
From California, 20 meters 1500-1830 and 2000-0730z, getting stronger later in the second period, 15 meters 2100-0330z, 10 meters 2200-0130z.
From Salt Lake City, 20 meters 1500-1830 and 2030-0530z, again stronger during the second period has the hour gets later, 15 meters 2100-0230z, 10 meters 2200-0030z.
From Dallas, 20 meters 1300-1900z (stronger early in the period) and 0200-0530z, 15 meters 2100-0200z, 10 meters 2130-0000z.
From the center of the 48 contiguous United States (centered in North Central Kansas just south of the Nebraska border) 20 meters 1430-1700z and weaker from 1930-0300z, 15 meters 2100-0130z, 10 meters 2200-0000z.
From Chicago, 20 meters open much of the day, except around 0330-0530z and 1130-1330z, best bet around 0600-1100z, 15 meters 2100-0000z, 10 meters 2200-2230z.
From Atlanta, 20 meters 1300-0300z, with strongest signals toward the beginning and the end of that period, 15 meters 2100-0100z, 10 meters 2200-2300z.
From Western Pennsylvania/Southern New Jersey, 20 meters 0630-1100z, 1230-0230z with strongest signals 2100-2230 and 0630-1000z, 15 meters 2100-0000z, possible 10 meter opening centered around 2130-2200z.
From Massachusetts, 20 meters open most hours, best 0630-1330z and 2000-2230z, weakest 0300-0400z, 15 meters 2130-2300z, 10 meters possible opening in late afternoon.
From Ohio, 20 meters open most hours except 0500-0530z, best signals around 0600-0900z and 1330-1400z, 15 meters 2100-2330z, 10 meters possible opening around 2200z.
Sunspot numbers for October 31 through November 6 were 134, 169, 177, 217, 166, 175, and 234, with a mean of 181.7. 10.7 cm flux was 170.2, 162.2, 164.6, 169.2, 177.4, 183.1, and 184.5, with a mean of 173. Estimated planetary A indices were 18, 10, 21, 27, 21, 19, and 19, with a mean of 19.3.