solar-weather

What This Skill Does

The solar-weather skill for OpenClaw provides a direct, real-time interface to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. It acts as a comprehensive monitoring dashboard, distilling complex heliophysics data into actionable insights for the average user. Whether you are tracking the Kp-index for aurora chasing, monitoring HF radio conditions for amateur radio transmissions, or observing solar wind parameters like Bz magnitude for satellite safety, this tool handles the heavy lifting of data retrieval and interpretation.

Installation

To integrate this skill into your environment, use the OpenClaw hub CLI tool. Ensure your system has Python 3 installed, as the script executes real-time data parsing.

Command: clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/andrewdmwalker/solar-weather

Use Cases

• Aurora Photography: Use the aurora command to check the geomagnetic activity and Bz-component. A negative Bz is your primary indicator for high-latitude light displays.
• Ham Radio Operations: Monitor the R-scale (Radio Blackout) to avoid transmitting during solar flare interference periods.
• Grid and Satellite Protection: Industry operators can utilize the alerts functionality to receive immediate notifications regarding G-scale geomagnetic storms that might induce current fluctuations or increase atmospheric drag on LEO satellites.
• Education: Researchers and hobbyists can pull periodic summaries to correlate ground-based observations with solar activity metrics.

Example Prompts

1. "What are the current space weather conditions and is there any chance of a G-scale storm tonight?"
2. "Show me the latest solar wind data; is the Bz component currently favorable for auroras?"
3. "Summarize the 3-day forecast and let me know if there are any active NOAA warnings."

Tips & Limitations

• Negative Bz Matters: Always look at the Solar Wind data section. A negative Bz indicates a magnetic field connection with Earth that can trigger auroras, even if the general geomagnetic activity seems low.
• Data Latency: While the data is pulled in real-time, it relies on NOAA's upstream reporting systems. In extreme space weather events, there may be slight reporting delays.
• Scale Awareness: Familiarize yourself with the R, S, and G scales. They are non-linear; moving from G2 to G3 is a significant jump in potential impact to technology and infrastructure. Use the summary command frequently to stay updated on threshold crossings.