SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY BULLETIN #03- 5

2003 November 04 at 05:25 p.m. MST (2003 November 05 0025 UTC)

**** EXTREME SOLAR FLARE ****

An associated solar radiation storm is underway. The current storm is at category S1 (minor) levels, and rising. The radiation storm is expected to reach category S2 (moderate) levels, and there is a small chance for a category S3 (strong) radiation storm. High latitude aviation interests are advised to closely monitor radiation levels over the next 24 hours. High latitude short-wave communications will likely experience considerable degradation for the next 24 to 48 hours. All agencies with space interests should also carefully monitor radiation levels.

A powerful, and extremely fast (over 5 million miles per hour) mass ejection occurred from this flare site, but is mostly directed away from Earth. As a result, only category G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are likely on November 6th.

This solar flare was the largest in a series of very large flares that have occurred in Active Region 486 over the past two weeks. At its peak, this sunspot cluster was approximately 15 times larger than Earth. This active region will rotate to the backside of the sun over the next 24 hours. Another large flare is still possible from this region, but large flare activity will become much less likely after the next 24 to 48 hours.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions. For more information, including email services, see SEC's Space Weather Advisories Web site http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories or (303) 497-5127. The NOAA Public Affairs contact is Barbara McGehan at Barbara.McGehan@noaa.gov or (303) 497-6288.

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