Solar flaring activity was moderate over the past 24 hours, with few C-class flares and a M-class flare identified. The largest flare was a M1.3 flare peaking at 11:08 UTC on Jan 22, which was produced by SIDC Sunspot Group 346 (NOAA Active Region 3961). During the flare, the source region (SIDC 346) of the flare had beta-gamma configuration of its photospheric magnetic field. A total of 9 numbered sunspot groups were identified on the disk over the past 24 hours. SIDC Sunspot Groups 346, 347, 378, and 381 are the complex regions with their beta-gamma magnetic configurations. The solar flaring activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels over the next 24 hours with C-class flares expected, M-class flares probable, and a chance of X-class flares.
Further analysis of the coronal mass ejections (CME) detected at 03:48 UTC on Jan 21 in SOHO/LASCO-C2 images, shows that it has a projected width of about 70 degree and a projected speed of about 800 km/s with the main propagation direction towards North. No corresponding on-disk source has been identified so it is likely to be backsided and will not influence the Earth. Another CME has been first observed in STEREO-A/SECCHI coronograph images at 10:53 UTC on Jan 21. This CME was associated with a M3.4 flare, which peaked at 10:39 UTC on Jan 21, produced by SIDC Sunspot Group 347 (NOAA Active Region 3967, S17 E23) and the filament eruption near the same AR. Associted type II radio emissions were detected at 10:27 UTC during the flaring activity. Associated coronal dimming and EUV wave were also observed. It has a projected width of about 110 deg and a projected speed of about 700 km/s. With its main component in the SE direction, a glancing blow is expected to influence the Earth on Jan 23-24.
The greater than 10 MeV GOES proton flux was below the threshold level over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so for the next 24 hours.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by the GOES-16 satellite, was below the 1000 pfu threshold level over the past 24 hours and is expected to remain so in the coming 24 hours. However, greater than 2 MeV electron flux, as measured by the GOES-18 satellite, reached above the threshold level at 17:20 UTC on Jan 21 and dropped finally below the threshold level at 02:20 UTC on Jan 22 in the last 24 hours. The 24h electron fluence is presently at normal level, and it is expected to remain so in the next 24 hours.