Sunspot Latitudes at or near Solar Maximum

[hamateur 1953]

Sunspot latitudes as of March 4 2024 

In nine active regions (🙄) we have an average latitude of 18.5 degrees currently. Yet another signal that we haven’t passed Solar Maximum yet and more activity is certain to return soon.  I thought they had crept back up a bit and wanted to check to be certain. More optimism is justified, I should imagine.  

[Newbie]

2 hours ago, hamateur 1953 said:

Sunspot latitudes as of March 4 2024 

In nine active regions (🙄) we have an average latitude of 18.5 degrees currently. Yet another signal that we haven’t passed Solar Maximum yet and more activity is certain to return soon.  I thought they had crept back up a bit and wanted to check to be certain. More optimism is justified, I should imagine.  

Your observation aligns well with the dynamics of the solar cycle and the solar dynamo process. The average latitude of 18.5 degrees in the current nine active regions indicates that the solar magnetic dynamo, responsible for the generation of the Sun's magnetic field, is still at work.

Sunspots tend to appear at higher latitudes during the ascending phase of the solar cycle, gradually moving toward the solar equator as the cycle progresses.

Currently sunspots are appearing at many latitudes, noting one recent at 37 degrees whilst at solar maximum sunspots will be centred around low latitudes and this will persist.

Your optimism is justified as this latitude distribution suggests that we're not yet past Solar Maximum, and more solar activity is likely on the horizon.

N.

Edited March 5 by Newbie

[hamateur 1953]

Another spot latitude check:  As of March 21 2024 in nine active regions the average latitude is currently. 15.11 degrees.  Incidentally 10.7 solar flux index as reported by NRC was 197 at 20:00 with a 120 ssn and 730 mh area* 
looking much better Imho.  Mike. 
Edit:  AR latitudes from our site

SFI , SSN and area from Solar Ham  Kevin VE3EN site.   
* area updated to 1,000 mh and 141 ssn within twelve  hours 

Edited March 22 by hamateur 1953
Acknowledging data sources. Updated area and ssn

[hamateur 1953]

One relatively minor point. The sunspot numbers ( ssn) do not include high resolution ssn 1k 2k as are reported separately by Solen on Jan Alvestad’s website until such time as they become accepted internationally. 
Mike. Afterthoughts. This shouldn’t be perceived as derogatory at all.  Simply that there are many ways of calculating sunspots. I believe the current accepted numbers are ISN or International Sunspot Numbers. 

Edited March 22 by hamateur 1953
Clarity