GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: NOAA forecasters say that strong G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible on Aug. 18-19 when a series of CMEs is expected to graze Earth's magnetic field. During such storms naked-eye auroras can descend into the USA as far south as Illinois and Oregon (geomagnetic latitude 50 degrees). Satellites and power grids will not be affected, however. An extreme storm would be required for that. Aurora alerts: SMS Text

ANOTHER CME IS COMING (UPDATED): Yesterday, Aug. 17th, active sunspot AR3078 produced a rapid-fire pair of M-class solar flares (M1+M2). The double blast hurled this CME into space:

[link to spaceweather.com (secure)]

Although the bulk of the CME is directed south of the sun-Earth line, there appears to be an Earth-directed component. A faint halo suggests that a fraction of the cloud is heading our way.

Update: A new model of this CME from NOAA confirms an Earth-directed component and pinpoints its arrival time during the late hours of Aug. 19th. The impact will add to any geomagnetic storming already underway at the time.