A long-lasting solar flare occurred in the massive sunspot area AR2960 on March 10, 2022. It resulted in a coronal mass ejection headed toward Earth (CME).
On March 13, charged particles from the sun are expected to arrive at 11:35 UTC (plus or minus 7 hours). This suggests that auroral activity in the Western Hemisphere might rise tonight (March 12-13).
The estimate is based on NASA’s ENLIL solar wind/CME model, which is utilized by scientists. The effect is expected to be between Kp = 5 and 8, or a light (G1) to severe geomagnetic storm (G4).
A massive CME will cause a direct strike on Earth. The ensuing geomagnetic phenomena have the potential to create a spectacular auroral display.
Another CME, which departed the sun on Monday, March 7, 2022, sideswiped Earth on March 10. At high latitudes, it caused an auroral spectacle.
