Signal Observatory // Monitoring Station

Solar Kp Index

solar-kp // Kp

driftnormal (12w)
AI Interpretation

Earth's magnetic field is currently calm at a Kp index of 2, slightly below the expected level of 2.5 and well within the normal range for this time of year. The Kp index measures geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar wind activity, with higher values indicating stronger magnetic storms that can disrupt power grids, satellites, and radio communications. At this low level, there are no significant space weather impacts on technology or infrastructure, and aurora visibility is limited to high polar regions. The reading is based on measurements from eight monitoring stations around the globe.

NOAA planetary Kp geomagnetic index

apiEvery 3 hours
4-Week Baseline
Score
+1.6
Expected
2.5
Current
3.7
Band: 1.04.0
12-Week Baseline
Score
+1.3
Expected
2.3
Current
3.7
Band: 0.34.3
Updated 130d ago
Recent Values
4w 12w
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Feb 2026Mar 2026
Event Timeline
130d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 3.7 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 3.7Expected: 2.5
+1.6
131d ago·anomalynormal

Kp index at 1.7 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 1.7Expected: 1.5
+0.7
131d ago·normalanomaly

The Kp index dropped to 1 Kp versus an expected 2 Kp, generating a -10.00 anomaly score that flags a short-term deviation below the 1.80–2.20 Kp band, though the reading remains within the long-term normal range of 0.34–4.32 Kp. This represents a transition from the previous normal status to a short-term anomaly, suggesting a brief period of quieter geomagnetic conditions than anticipated across the 8 reporting stations.

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.0
-10.0
132d ago·driftnormal

The Kp index remains in normal territory at 1.67, down slightly from the expected 2.0 baseline (score -0.67), marking a transition from the prior drift status. Both short-term and long-term bands confirm stability well within normal geomagnetic conditions with no aurora activity expected.

Value: 1.7Expected: 2.0
-0.7
132d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 1.0 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.7
-1.7
132d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 1.0 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.3
-0.9
132d ago·normaldrift

Solar activity remains subdued with the Kp index at 1, tracking below the expected 2.83 level and generating a negative score of -1.84, though conditions remain within the normal long-term band of 0.34–4.32 Kp. The short-term drift classification reflects underperformance relative to forecast expectations despite stable long-term positioning, with 8 monitoring stations confirming the reading.

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.8
-1.8
132d ago·anomalynormal

The Kp index dropped sharply to 0.67 from expected 2.17, reversing from anomaly status to normal conditions with a -1.01 short-term score, though the long-term trend remains weakly negative at -1.67 suggesting geomagnetic activity below the seasonal 0.34–4.32 Kp band. Eight monitoring stations confirm the current quiet conditions represent a genuine decline rather than measurement error.

Value: 0.7Expected: 2.2
-1.0
132d ago·driftanomaly

The Solar Kp Index has improved from drift status to anomaly, with the current value of 1 Kp falling below the expected 3 Kp forecast and generating a -4.09 score, though it remains within the long-term normal band of 0.34–4.32 Kp. This below-forecast reading across 8 stations suggests weaker geomagnetic activity than anticipated, indicating quieter space weather conditions persisting in the short term.

Value: 1.0Expected: 3.0
-4.1
132d ago·normaldrift

The Kp Index has deteriorated from normal to drift status, currently at 0.67 against an expected 2.5, yielding a score of -1.86 indicating significantly suppressed geomagnetic activity. Both short-term and long-term trends show sustained underperformance relative to forecast, with the index tracking well below its expected range across 8 monitoring stations.

Value: 0.7Expected: 2.5
-1.9
133d ago·anomalynormal

The Kp index recovered to 1.67 from anomalous levels, now firmly within normal range and below the 2.33 expected value, with a -1.35 score indicating subdued geomagnetic activity. The transition from anomaly to normal status reflects stabilization across all eight monitoring stations, though the index remains in the lower portion of both short-term (1.35–3.31) and long-term (0.34–4.32) bands.

Value: 1.7Expected: 2.3
-1.3
133d ago·driftanomaly

Kp index at 1.0 — quiet, significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.3
-5.3
133d ago·normaldrift

The Kp index drifted to 2 Kp, slightly underperforming the 3 Kp expectation with a score of -2.04, moving from normal status to a short-term drift condition while remaining within the normal long-term band of 0.34–4.32 Kp. The 8-station network continues monitoring conditions well within operational parameters.

Value: 2.0Expected: 3.0
-2.0
135d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 2.7 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 2.7Expected: 2.8
-0.2
135d ago·anomalydrift

Kp index at 3.7 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 3.7Expected: 2.2
+2.0
135d ago·driftanomaly

Kp index at 3.7 — quiet, significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 3.7Expected: 1.7
+4.0
135d ago·normaldrift

The Kp index has drifted above expected levels to 3.67 from a forecast of 2.17, pushing into the upper portion of its short-term band (0.69–3.65) with a positive anomaly score of 2.02, though long-term conditions remain normal at score 1.35. This represents a modest uptick in geomagnetic activity over the next few hours, likely driven by solar wind conditions, but insufficient to trigger alert status based on the 8-station network data as of March 14.

Value: 3.7Expected: 2.2
+2.0
135d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 5.0 — minor storm (G1), geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 5.0Expected: 2.3
+1.4
135d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 5.0 — minor storm (G1), above typical levels

Value: 5.0Expected: 2.5
+2.0
135d ago·driftnormal

The Kp Index elevated to 5.0 from a 2.33 expected baseline (score 1.35), marking a shift from drift status to short-term normal but remaining in drift territory long-term (score 2.69). Current reading sits within the short-term band (-1.61–6.27) but exceeds the long-term band (0.34–4.32), suggesting elevated geomagnetic activity persisting despite nominal classification.

Value: 5.0Expected: 2.3
+1.4
136d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 4.0 — unsettled, above typical levels

Value: 4.0Expected: 2.0
+2.0
136d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 4.7 — unsettled, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 4.7Expected: 2.7
+1.3
136d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 4.7 — unsettled, above typical levels

Value: 4.7Expected: 2.8
+1.9
136d ago·anomalynormal

Solar Kp Index improved from anomaly to normal short-term status as the geomagnetic activity decreased toward expected levels, with the current reading of 4.67 Kp now within the short-term band of -0.30–5.64 Kp despite remaining 2.0 Kp above forecast. However, a longer-term drift concern persists with a score of 2.36, indicating sustained elevation above the normal long-term band of 0.34–4.32 Kp.

Value: 4.7Expected: 2.7
+1.3
136d ago·driftanomaly

Kp index at 6.0 — moderate storm (G2), significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 6.0Expected: 3.3
+5.5
136d ago·anomalydrift

Kp index at 6.0 — moderate storm (G2), above typical levels

Value: 6.0Expected: 3.3
+2.7
136d ago·normalanomaly

The Kp index surged to 6.0, significantly exceeding both the short-term band (2.35–4.31) and long-term band (0.34–4.32), representing a transition from normal conditions to anomalous status with a short-term anomaly score of 5.46. This elevated geomagnetic activity marks a notable departure from the expected 3.33 Kp value, indicating increased planetary disturbance measured across 8 monitoring stations.

Value: 6.0Expected: 3.3
+5.5
136d ago·anomalynormal

The Kp index improved to 1.67, moving out of anomaly status back to normal range as it settled below the expected 2.0 threshold, with the score shifting from positive anomaly to -0.67. Both short-term (1.02–2.98) and long-term (0.34–4.32) bands confirm stable geomagnetic conditions across 8 monitoring stations.

Value: 1.7Expected: 2.0
-0.7
137d ago·normalanomaly

The Kp index surged to 4.67, significantly above the expected 2.165 and short-term band ceiling of 3.14, triggering an anomaly alert with a score of 5.12, though this remains within the broader long-term band suggesting geomagnetic activity is elevated but not unprecedented. The shift from normal status indicates a genuine increase in planetary magnetospheric disturbance that warrants monitoring for potential impacts on satellite operations and power systems.

Value: 4.7Expected: 2.2
+5.1
138d ago·driftnormal

The Kp Index has stabilized at 2.0, transitioning from a drift state to normal conditions with a perfect short-term score of 0.00, placing it comfortably within the 1.80–2.20 band. The long-term outlook remains normal with a slight negative score of -0.33, indicating relatively quiet geomagnetic conditions across the 8 monitored stations.

Value: 2.0Expected: 2.0
0.0
138d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 0.3 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 0.3Expected: 1.8
-1.5
142d ago·driftnormal

The Kp index remains at 4.0, tracking slightly below the 4.165 expectation with a modest -0.67 score, maintaining normal short-term conditions within the 3.68–4.65 band. The long-term drift status persists with a positive score of 1.68, indicating sustained elevation above the historical 0.34–4.32 range, suggesting geomagnetic activity remains elevated relative to baseline despite stable near-term readings.

Value: 4.0Expected: 4.2
-0.7
142d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 3.7 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 3.7Expected: 2.7
+2.0
142d ago·anomalynormal

Kp index at 3.7 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 3.7Expected: 2.8
+1.1
142d ago·driftanomaly

Kp index at 2.7 — quiet, significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 2.7Expected: 1.7
+4.0
142d ago·anomalydrift

Kp index at 2.7 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 2.7Expected: 1.7
+2.0
142d ago·normalanomaly

The Kp index jumped to 2.67 from an expected 1.67, triggering a short-term anomaly alert with a score of 3.97, though it remains well within the normal long-term band of 0.34-4.32 Kp. This represents a moderate geomagnetic disturbance above baseline conditions, though not yet at concerning levels for space weather impacts.

Value: 2.7Expected: 1.7
+4.0
143d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 3.0 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 3.0Expected: 3.5
-0.7
143d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 1.3 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 1.3Expected: 2.7
-1.8
143d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 2.0 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 2.0Expected: 2.3
-0.7
144d ago·normaldrift

Kp index at 1.7 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 1.7Expected: 2.3
-2.6
144d ago·driftnormal

The Kp index declined to 1.33, moving deeper into the normal range with a short-term score of -0.67, indicating geomagnetic activity remains subdued well below the 3.99 Kp ceiling. The transition from drift to stable normal status reflects quieter conditions across the 8 monitoring stations, with the index now solidly anchored within both short-term and long-term normal bands.

Value: 1.3Expected: 2.0
-0.7
145d ago·normaldrift

Solar Kp Index dropped significantly to 0.33 from expected 2.5 Kp, marking a shift from normal to drift status with a score of -2.93, indicating unusually weak geomagnetic activity well below the short-term band range of 1.02–3.98 Kp. The persistent negative long-term score of -2.01 suggests this suppressed activity represents a meaningful departure from typical patterns across the 8-station network.

Value: 0.3Expected: 2.5
-2.9
145d ago·driftnormal

Solar Kp Index improved from drift status to normal with a reading of 1.67 Kp, sitting 0.67 points below the expected 2.335 Kp forecast and well within both short-term (0.85–3.82) and long-term (0.34–4.32) bands. The negative score of -0.90 reflects slight underperformance relative to expectations, but geomagnetic conditions remain stable across 8 monitoring stations.

Value: 1.7Expected: 2.3
-0.9
145d ago·normaldrift

The Kp index has deteriorated to 0.67, significantly below the 2.835 expected level with a negative score of -2.20, representing a shift from normal status to short-term drift. Both short and long-term trajectories remain in drift mode (long-term score -1.67), suggesting sustained below-expectation geomagnetic activity despite remaining within normal bands of 0.86–4.81 Kp (short-term) and 0.34–4.32 Kp (long-term).

Value: 0.7Expected: 2.8
-2.2
145d ago·driftnormal

Kp index at 2.0 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 2.0Expected: 2.0
0.0
145d ago·anomalydrift

Kp index at 1.3 — quiet, above typical levels

Value: 1.3Expected: 2.5
-1.6
145d ago·normalanomaly

Kp index at 1.0 — quiet, significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 1.0Expected: 2.3
-5.3
148d ago·anomalynormal

Kp index at 1.3 — quiet, geomagnetic conditions normal

Value: 1.3Expected: 2.3
-0.8
148d ago·normalanomaly

Kp index at 1.0 — quiet, significantly elevated geomagnetic activity

Value: 1.0Expected: 4.3
-6.6