After 5 Years of Quiet, the Sun Gets a Bit Stormy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Scientists say a Valentine’s evening solar
flare is causing radio disruptions and may put on a cool sky show
Thursday and Friday nights in some northern regions. But they say
the solar storm zapping Earth isn’t that big or troublesome.

Bob Rutledge, who’s lead forecaster for the government’s Space
Weather Prediction Center, said the solar X-ray flare is the
largest of its type since December 2006. But that’s mostly because
the sun’s been unusually quiet for nearly five years.

This solar storm rates an R-3 on a five point scale. It’s on the
weak end of what’s considered strong, but still there are about 175
of those every decade or so. Look for auroras in Alaska and other
northern areas. Rutledge said some commercial airliners have
reported radio disruptions, but no harm.