M-class activity from sunspot region 3311

Saturday, 20 May 2023 13:07 UTC

Strong M8.96 flare from sunspot region 3311
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No coronal mass ejections worth mentioning have been launched by sunspot region 3311 but more M-class solar flares are likely with a slight chance of an isolated X-class event. Sunspot region 3311 should be monitored as it rotates towards an earth-facing position as any coronal mass ejections being launched will have a higher chance to strike Earth. It is still unknown if the M8.9 solar flare launched a coronal mass ejection but the solar flare is impulsive and we do not expect it to be eruptive.

Moderate G2 geomagnetic storm

An unexpected coronal mass ejection passage which arrived just before 21 UTC yesterday pushed the north-south direction of the IMF (Bz) to a low of -17nT just after midnight (UTC) today. Moderate G2 (Kp6) geomagnetic storm conditions were observed. The current solar wind conditions are still elevated but further geomagnetic storm conditions are unlikely today.