Our Sun settles down finally after the big G3+ storm series that passed over Earth at the beginning of the month. Although we are getting hit by a final storm in that series, this one is so wispy that Earth has hardy noticed. Things might intensify once we get an enhancement from some fast solar wind over the next couple of days so aurora photographers at high latitudes might get a bit of a show. Amateur radio and GPS users, however, should enjoy overall quieter conditions than last week with fewer radio blackouts on the dayside of Earth as well as less noise on the dayside radio bands. Learn the details of this wispy solar storm, see why the recent storm was more bark than bite, and find out what else our Sun has in store.

This Space Weather News forecast sponsored in part by Millersville University: https://www.millersville.edu/swen Our Sun remains a bit choosy this week, only allowing activity to pick up at a “hot longitude” just west of center disk. Region 4098 is the first to take the bait, grow rapidly over the past 48 hours and firing off some short-lived but large flares. The largest, an X1.1-flare gave us a brief R3-level radio blackout, but the radio noise from this region continues to be a problem on the dayside radio bands. Amateur radio operators should expect sporadic radio blackouts at the R2-level to continue, especially with the chance that other Regions like 4092, 4093, and old Region 4094 might become flare-active as they rotate over that same hot longitude later this week. Despite the flares, no solar storms are Earth-directed, but aurora photographers can look forward to the fast solar wind that will sweep past Earth starting around the 28th. This wind should be enough to bump us to minor storm levels at high latitudes and might even give us a little show at mid-latitudes. With us crossing through a new moon, we may not need strong aurora for a good show (at least in the southern hemisphere without the midnight Sun). Learn the details of the coming fast wind, watch the big solar flares develop, and see what else our Sun has in store this week.

This week, our Sun is sending us nearly continuous fast solar wind and it has been lighting up our skies with aurora. Some photographers have managed to capture aurora during the blood moon total lunar eclipse! The aurora shows have been intensified by several solar storm eruptions, at times bumping us to G2 storm levels. Expect active to G1-level conditions to continue sporadically throughout this week. In addition, we have a ton of new active regions rotating into Earth-view from the farside that are boosting the noise on the amateur radio bands. Some of these regions are returning big-flare players so expect the risk for radio blackouts and Earth-directed solar storm eruptions to rise through this week and the next. Learn the details of the ongoing storming from the fast solar wind, watch all the new activity rotating into view on the Sun’s east limb and see what else our Sun has in store.

Solar activity has ramped up considerably over the last few days, including big solar flares, a radiation storm, and what looks like a promising Earth-directed solar storm and more to come. In particular, the Earth-directed solar storm could bring aurora just in time for the planetary alignment on February 28. Aurora photographers should be sure to check out the south-western sky just after dusk for the ‘planet parade” before swiveling around to catch aurora as it rises in the east. In addition, amateur radio operators and GPS users should expect more R1 to R2-level radio blackouts due to the rise of big flares again along with a near S1-level radiation storm. These disturbances are making for a lot of noise on the radio bands. but conditions should begin to improve as we move in through the weekend. Learn the details of the coming solar storm, watch the big X-flare, and see what else our Sun has in store.

Our Sun plays Cupid this week by ensuring we have some solar storming through this upcoming Valentines Day weekend. Even as we calm down from some fast solar wind, another pocket of fast wind is on its way to Earth. Sandwiched within the fast wind will be several stealthy solar storms and a narrow filament, which should serve to enhance aurora views, especially at high latitudes. Aurora photographers down at mid-latitudes should also get a chance for some shows, as long as the aurora outshines the bright moon. Amateur radio operators should enjoy some relative quiet on the dayside bands just in time for the big DX contest this weekend, although the nightside might be more difficult to work during the storming. Overall radio blackout risk is down and should remain so over the next few days. GPS users should also enjoy decent reception on the dayside, but nightside reception could be a bit dicey, especially near dawn and dusk and near aurora. Learn the details of the coming fast solar wind, watch some stealthy storms sneak of the Sun, and find out what else is in store.

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A massive set of coronal holes will be sending us some fast solar wind over the next few days. These dark, ominous, features are about to become regular visitors as we continue our descent into the declining phase of the solar cycle. Even though this phase is just beginning, we could see some pretty strong storming from this wind through the first few days of February. High-latitude aurora photographers might get an extended show, with a chance for mid-latitudes to catch a glimpse as well. Meanwhile, solar flare activity could tick up this week as a cluster of active regions rotates into Earth view. Ham radio operators—get ready for increasing noise on the dayside bands, likely persisting into next week. Risks for radio blackouts will also be on the rise, especially as we move into next week. Learn the details of the coming fast solar wind, watch some gorgeous eye-candy launch off the Sun, and find out what else is in store.