September 2017's Geoeffective Space Weather and Impacts to Caribbean
Radio Communications during Hurricane Response
Abstract
Between 4 and 10 September 2017, multiple solar eruptions occurred from
active region AR12673. NOAA and NASA’s well-instrumented spacecraft
observed the evolution of these geoeffective events from their solar
origins, through the interplanetary medium, to their geospace impacts.
The 6 September X9.3 flare was the largest to date for the nearly
concluded solar cycle 24 and, in fact, the brightest recorded since an
X17 flare in September 2005, which occurred during the declining phase
of solar cycle 23. Rapid ionization of the sunlit upper atmosphere
occurred, disrupting high frequency communications in the Caribbean
region while emergency managers were scrambling to provide critical
recovery services caused by the region’s devastating hurricanes. The 10
September west limb eruption resulted in the first solar energetic
particle event since 2012 with sufficient flux and energy to yield a
ground level enhancement. Spacecraft at L1, including DSCOVR, sampled
the associated interplanetary coronal mass ejections minutes before
their collision with Earth’s magnetosphere. Strong compression and
erosion of the dayside magnetosphere occurred, placing geosynchronous
satellites in the magnetosheath. Subsequent geomagnetic storms produced
magnificent auroral displays and elevated hazards to power systems.
Through the lens of NOAA’s space weather R-S-G storm scales, this event
period increased hazards for systems susceptible to elevated “radio
blackout” (R3-strong), “solar radiation storm” (S3-strong), and
“geomagnetic storm” (G4-severe) conditions. The purpose of this paper
is to provide an overview of the September 2017 space weather event, and
a summary of its consequences, including forecaster, post event analyst
and communication operator perspectives.