[LINK] A good time to back-up that cloud data - Tonight!

[tomk]

Space Weather 10.7 cm flux: 133 sfu 
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/f10.gif

Quote/ [From: 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-200952/Power-cuts-threat-sun-storm-hits-earth.html]

Power cuts threat as sun storm hits earth

Sun spots: charged particles head for earth

A huge mass of electrically-charged particles thrown out by a gigantic 
eruption on the Sun is due to strike the Earth tonight.

Scientists expect it to trigger one of the most violent geomagnetic 
storms ever recorded.

The result could be widespread power surges and even blackouts, 
disrupted TV and mobile phone signals, and broken down communication 
satellites.

At the same time the Northern Lights, normally confined to polar 
latitudes, may produce dazzling displays in the skies above southern 
Britain.

At least one satellite has already been knocked out of action by the 
storm. Japan's space agency said its Kodama communications satellite had 
been temporarily shut down after malfunctioning.

The solar flare that caused the eruption burst out of a sunspot at 
10.54am yesterday.

Experts said it was the strongest flare seen in the past 30 years. The 
explosion caused a coronal mass ejection (CME) which is now speeding 
towards Earth.

*Disruption*

Last week another CME only hit the Earth a glancing blow, yet was able 
to disrupt airline communications.

The solar flare was classified as an X18-category explosion, meaning it 
can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.

Although the charged particles present no direct danger to people on the 
ground, they could have a devastating effect on electrical equipment.

Geomagnetic storms are classified on a scale of one to five. Initial 
indications are that the looming storm could reach the highest G5 level 
and last for 24 hours.

*Northern Lights*

The most obvious manifestation of the storm is likely to be glorious 
auroras lighting up the night sky.

Usually the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, is only visible in 
Britain from northern Scotland. The Earth's magnetic field channels the 
solar particles that cause auroras towards the poles.

But experts say that over the next two days the Northern Lights may be 
seen at latitudes as low as Florida and Texas - and even south enough to 
cover the whole of Europe.

/Quote
TomK