Can I compare all these records directly?
Align UTC times, units and sampling periods first. A flare peak, a three-hour Kp value and a monthly sunspot count describe different things.
Solar cycle
Solar activity rises and falls over roughly 11 years. Compare sunspot counts and long-term trends; a busy cycle does not predict the date of the next storm.
Solar cycle
60.3
Sunspots13-month smoothed trend
Forecast
8.1
Noon 10.7cm Radio Flux
105.41 sfu
Browse the dates covered by the current source. Missing dates are not evidence of quiet conditions. Monthly solar-cycle observations extend further back than the live satellite feeds.
What does solar maximum tell us?
It describes a more active phase, not a date for the next storm. The 13-month smoothed curve shows the broad trend, not daily changes.
Public scientific observations and forecasts may be delayed or revised. Forecasts are not guarantees of aurora visibility or operational safety. Follow official advice for critical decisions.