The POES auroral activity level frequently serves as a better indicator of reception conditions, particularly for frequencies below 2 MHz, than Earth based measurements of geomagnetic activity. For instance the K index could be 1, indicating very quiet conditions, while the auroral activity level suggests there could be significant activity in signal reflecting areas. The smoothed auroral activity index for each point in time uses the activity level for that time as well as the previous 6 and next 6 data points to calculate a smoothed value. The charts below should give a fairly good overview of auroral conditions since October 2009.
For a longer term perspective on POES and related measurements of geomagnetic activity, take a look at this paper by Leif Svalgaard.
Current chart:
Historical charts: