What does this number mean?
Kp is a 0-to-9 index of geomagnetic activity across the planet. Each point on this graph summarizes a three-hour period; higher numbers mean more disturbance.
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Planetary Kp Index & Geomagnetic Activity
The planetary Kp index describes geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9. Compare completed three-hour periods to understand how Earth's magnetic conditions have changed.NOAA observed readings
Planetary Kp
Latest graphed reading: 3 index on Nov 7, 2026, 7:00 AM EST.
NOAA reading 24-hour average
View readings as a table
| Date and time (Eastern) | Planetary Kp |
|---|---|
| Nov 7, 7:00 AM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 7, 4:00 AM EST | 3.3 index |
| Nov 7, 1:00 AM EST | 3.3 index |
| Nov 6, 10:00 PM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 6, 7:00 PM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 6, 4:00 PM EST | 3.3 index |
| Nov 6, 1:00 PM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 6, 10:00 AM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 6, 7:00 AM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 6, 4:00 AM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 6, 1:00 AM EST | 2.7 index |
| Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST | 0.7 index |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 0.7 index |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 0.7 index |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 1.3 index |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 1.3 index |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 1.3 index |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 1 index |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 3.3 index |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 2.7 index |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 1.3 index |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 1.3 index |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 0.7 index |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 0.7 index |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 0.3 index |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 1 index |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 1.7 index |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 1 index |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 2 index |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 2.3 index |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 3 index |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 3.3 index |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 3.3 index |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 4.3 index |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 4.7 index |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 3.7 index |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 6 index |
Readings: NOAA planetary Kp product. Times are shown in Eastern time. Missing measurements are left blank, not treated as zero. The optional 24-hour average is calculated here from consecutive readings.
Why does it matter for HF?
Geomagnetic disturbance can make HF paths less reliable, especially at higher latitudes. Quiet Kp conditions can help, but they do not guarantee an opening at a particular frequency or location.
How should I use the graph?
Watch for sustained rises rather than one point. Compare the three-hour Kp history with solar-wind speed and Bz; the latest dashboard estimate updates more often than these completed periods.
Learn more from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and ARRL's HF propagation guide.