Solar wind - currently about normal levels
speed: 437.5 km/sec
density: 3.8 protons/cm3
However, an M class pulse induced a strong radio blackout on Earth
SOLAR FLARE AND RADIO BLACKOUT: Sunspot AR2257 erupted on Jan. 13th, producing an M5-class solar flare at 04:24 UT.
A pulse of extreme UV radiation from the flare ionized Earth's upper atmosphere over Australia and the Indian Ocean.
Mariners and ham radio operators may have noticed a brief communications blackout at frequencies below about 10 MHz.
More flares could be in the offing. AR2257 has an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic field that seems poised to explode again. NOAA forecasters estimate a 40% chance of M-class flares and a 10% chance of X-flares on Jan. 13th. - it's uncertain if an earth hit of a CME will happen from this event.
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 2 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 6.8 nT
Bz: 1.1 nT north - north oriented field structure will have a protection effect for earth's geomagnetic field from outside particle assaults.
large coronal holes have sealed, but there is evidence in the image of potential for hole formation (see dark areas in image)
In certain locations the aurora was quite bright and geometrical