Incoming! The new WSA-Enlil Solar Wind Prediction is calling for an almost direct CME impact during the middle of tomorrow (March 8). The solar wind is expected to increase to over 800 km/s and Strong Geomagnetic Storming will be possible. This plasma cloud is the result of the X5.4 and X1.3 Solar Flare event very early this morning.
CME Impact / G2 Geomagnetic Storm
A moderate G2 Geomagnetic Storm (Kp=6) was sparked by an incoming Coronal Mass Ejection impact from an explosion earlier in the week. The IMF pointed -20nT South for long periods and this likely helped intensify the storm. The Kp did drop somewhat, however has again picked back up to the G2 level. Be on the lookout for Aurora at high latitudes.
The high energy proton levels continue to rise following the strong solar flare from very early this morning. A strong S3 Level Radiation Storm is now in progress. The increase in proton levels are a direct result of the major solar flare activity from early Wednesday morning around Sunspot 1429.
Updated 3/7/2012 @ 03:05 UTC
Major X5.4 Solar Flare + X1.3 Flare
The second strongest solar flare of Cycle 24 in terms of X-Ray Flux, just peaked around Active Sunspot 1429. This major event measured X5.4 at 00:24 UTC and triggered a strong R3 Level Radio Blackout. This was followed shortly thereafter by an X1.3 event at 01:14 UTC. A coronal mass ejection will likely result and due to the sunspots more geoeffective position, there will be a chance for some sort of impact.
CME Impact / G2 Geomagnetic Storm
A moderate G2 Geomagnetic Storm (Kp=6) was sparked by an incoming Coronal Mass Ejection impact from an explosion earlier in the week. The IMF pointed -20nT South for long periods and this likely helped intensify the storm. The Kp did drop somewhat, however has again picked back up to the G2 level. Be on the lookout for Aurora at high latitudes.
The high energy proton levels continue to rise following the strong solar flare from very early this morning. A strong S3 Level Radiation Storm is now in progress. The increase in proton levels are a direct result of the major solar flare activity from early Wednesday morning around Sunspot 1429.
Updated 3/7/2012 @ 03:05 UTC
Major X5.4 Solar Flare + X1.3 Flare
The second strongest solar flare of Cycle 24 in terms of X-Ray Flux, just peaked around Active Sunspot 1429. This major event measured X5.4 at 00:24 UTC and triggered a strong R3 Level Radio Blackout. This was followed shortly thereafter by an X1.3 event at 01:14 UTC. A coronal mass ejection will likely result and due to the sunspots more geoeffective position, there will be a chance for some sort of impact.
