solar-weather_skill

Overview

This skill monitors real-time solar weather using NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center data to track solar flares, geomagnetic storms, aurora forecasts, solar wind, and active alerts. It provides current conditions, a 3-day forecast, aurora outlooks, solar wind metrics (Bt/Bz), and concise summaries. The tool is lightweight, script-driven, and returns JSON for integration or human-readable output for quick decision-making.

How this skill works

The skill queries NOAA SWPC endpoints for real-time status, alerts, and solar wind measurements and parses official scales (R, S, G) to produce readable severity levels. Commands return current conditions, a three-day probability forecast, aurora likelihood based on Bz and geomagnetic indices, and active watch/warning messages. Adding --json yields structured output for automation or dashboards.

When to use it

• Before HF radio contests or operations to check for radio blackouts (R-scale).
• Planning night photography or aurora chases to assess aurora likelihood and Bz trends.
• Monitoring satellite operations or power grid risk during elevated S- or G-scale activity.
• Automating alerts or dashboards that need up-to-date space weather metrics.
• Checking active NOAA watches, warnings, and alerts in real time.

Best practices

• Check current and aurora commands frequently during active periods — conditions change hourly.
• Use the Bz component (negative values, especially < -5 nT) plus G-scale to evaluate aurora potential.
• Combine aurora outlooks with local cloud cover and darkness windows for visibility planning.
• Enable --json output for integration with monitoring systems or mobile notifications.
• Treat NOAA SWPC as the authoritative source — use this skill to parse and present that data clearly.

Example use cases

• Ham radio operator verifying R-scale before a contest to avoid HF disruptions.
• Aurora chaser checking short-term Bz trends and a 3-day forecast to pick the best night.
• Satellite operator monitoring S-scale and solar wind for anomaly risk during passes.
• Power grid operator receiving alerts when geomagnetic storms reach levels that could affect infrastructure.
• Developer piping --json output into a dashboard or automated notification workflow.