_____________________________________________________________________ BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: NATIONAL GEOMAGNETIC SERVICE GEOMAGNETIC STORM WARNING _____________________________________________________________________ Following recent observations of solar/solar-wind disturbance(s) there is an increased risk of a geomagnetic storm from 15-FEB-2011 to 17-FEB-2011 ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Since 13th February three energetic solar flares have occurred and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are heading towards the Earth. One flare (01:15, 15th Feb) is the largest in four years. One CME arrived last night sparking displays of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) further south than usual (Northern Ireland in the UK). The other two CMEs are expected to arrive tomorrow (16th) or early the following morning (17th). Magnetic storms are likely to follow the arrival of these later CMEs. Further Northern Lights (aurora) displays are possible for the next two nights if skies are clear and the activity peaks in your local night-time. (Sarah Reay 15-02-11) ___________________________________________________________________ National Geomagnetic Service phone: +44-(0)131-667-1000 fax: +44-(0)131-668-4368 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA, UK _____________________________________________________________________