The sun today. Click for larger. Credit as annotated.

The sunspot cycle isn’t as intense as it was predicted to be but that’s not to say there isn’t any activity.

Northern and southern latitudes could see displays of the aurora for the next three days especially today.

Today’s  forecast is for the geomagnetic field to be active and there is a chance for isolated minor storm periods.  If we do reach minor storm levels we will see auroral activity.  Activity will subside over the following two days.

I did hear some warnings on the tube, yes well you know, end of the world stuff, gah, it gets old.  Anyways they did mention power grid and GPS failures.  Could those happen?  Well sure they could but I’d not lose too much sleep over it with this forecast. Now if the forecast is wrong and activity is more intense, well never say never.

The GPS thing is kind of interesting, who knows? I would think chances of untoward consequences surely increase at polar latitudes but at my 43 north and towards the equator, meh, I’m not so sure.

If you have clear skies go out and see if you can see the northern or southern lights.

Check this graph, if the top graph shows values of 5 or greater (bar will be red) and if you have clear skies go out and see if you can see the northern or southern lights.  If that top graph shows values greater than 7 (bar will be purple) then certainly there is a possibility of communications and power disruptions but you will have a glorious display!