Two very large sun spot regions continue to maintain their size and magnetic intensity. There have been three major flares in the last 24 hours, which caused

considerable disruption of high frequency communication. More large flares are expected in the next few days.

Click on image for 376K MPEG. Note large explosion on 23 Oct.

"So far this storm is materializing as expected," said NOAA space weather forecaster Bill Murtagh. NOAA forecasters predicted the onset of the magnetic storm to occur midday Friday. The magnitude the of G-3 level storm is also in line with NOAA predictions.

NOAA thus far has not received any reports of the storm's effects.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the

prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Web Sites

* NOAA Space Environment Center
http://sec.noaa.gov/

* NOAA Space Weather Scales
http://sec.noaa.gov/NOAAscales/

* Latest SOHO images
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html

IMAGE CAPTION: [http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2003/images/solarstorm102403-1424z2.jpg (171KB)] Image from the SOHO spacecraft of the intense solar activity on the sun taken Oct. 24, 2003, at 10:24 a.m. EDT. Credit: SOHO