On space weather consequences and predictions

This paper focuses on the question of what needs to be predicted and what p rocesses need to be understood to predict and forecast space weather condit ions that are hazardous to current technology. The paper's aim is to see if we are working on the correct space parameters to permit prediction of tho se quantities that actually present hazards to current space technology. Th e paper is not intended to be encyclopedic. We conclude that although the s unspot number is a general proxy for many space hazards, there is surprisin gly little direct need for its accurate prediction or for the prediction of solar flares as such. We also find that knowledge of Kp and other geomagne tic indices are rarely directly required. Important gaps in our knowledge e xist concerning the variations of storm time electron, proton, and ion popu lations within the magnetosphere. Work is also required in predicting fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and in understanding the processes of CME ini tiation and acceleration within the corona and high energy solar particle a cceleration and propagation.