Solar activity has been moderate due to four M-class events during the past 24 hours. Region 9775 (S05E30) produced three of these: an M1/Sf at 0322 UTC, an M1/1n at 1519 UTC, and an M1/Sf at 1929 UTC. The region has not changed size significantly, but appears to be active due to the emergence of new magnetic flux. The group currently has a relatively complex magnetic configuration (beta-gamma). The fourth M-class event was an M3 at 1843 UTC: this event was associated with erupting prominence activity on the west limb near S17. Region 9773 (N15W46) continues to be the largest sunspot group on the disk. This group did not show much change and managed to produce a few subflares during the past 24 hours.

Solar activity is expected to be moderate. Regions 9773, 9775, and 9778 are the most likely sources for M-class flares. There continues to be a slight chance for a major flare or proton producing flare from Region 9773.

The geomagnetic field was unsettled to active during the past 24 hours. The enhanced level of activity was due to continued effects from a coronal hole associated high speed solar wind stream. The solar wind velocity showed an overall decreasing trend today, suggesting that the coronal hole effects should not last much longer. The greater than 10 MeV proton event that began on 10/2045 UTC continues in progress: flux levels decayed throughout the day and had reached 16.1 PFU at forecast issue time.

The geomagnetic field is expected to decrease to mostly unsettled levels for the next two days as the current enhanced solar wind should subside soon. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected by day three. LASCO observations do not show any CMEs to be associated with today's solar flare activity.

  Observed       12 Jan 233
  Predicted   13 Jan-15 Jan  235/240/240
  90 Day Mean        12 Jan 224

  Observed Afr/Ap 11 Jan  012/021
  Estimated     Afr/Ap 12 Jan  015/015
  Predicted    Afr/Ap 13 Jan-15 Jan  012/012-012/010-005/008