Impulsive M2.4 solar flare peaked at 13:19 UTC

Impulsive M2.4 solar flare peaked at 13:19 UTC on August 17, 2012. The event started at 13:12 (B2.8) and ended at 13:23  (M1.0). The flare was centered around a new active region off the northeastern limb. This region is turning into view today.

Beg	17/1312	B2.8
Max	17/1319	M2.4	Int 6.9e-03 J m-2
End	17/1323	M1.0

Minor ionization waves are rippling through our planet’s upper atmosphere. NOAA/SWPC issued Minor R1 Radio Blackout Alert. Weak or minor degradation of HF radio communication on sunlit side is possible, with occasional loss of radio contact as well as Low-frequency navigation signals could degraded for brief intervals.

Sunspot 1543 is turning away from Earth and is still crackling with impulsive C- and M-class solar flares. Geomagnetic field was at unsettled levels at short period reaching Geomagnetic K-index of 4.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels for the next three days, with a chance for active levels. The disturbed conditions on  August 17-18 are expected with the arrival of the CME from August 14. On August 19 a positive coronal hole high-speed stream should arrive and disturbed geomagnetic field again.

There is still 05% chance for another M-class, and 01% chance for X-class solar flare.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Solar wind
speed: 385.9 km/sec
density: 0.1 protons/cm³

The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 98 sfu

Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 4 unsettled

Interplanetary Mag. Field
B_total: 2.6 nT
B_z: 0.3 nT south