From the British Geological Survey
Since 13th February three energetic solar flares have erupted on the Sun and spewed clouds of charged plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) out towards the Earth. The biggest of the three flares (an X2.2 at 01:56, 15th Feb) is the largest in over four years. We need to go back to the 13th Dec 2006 to find a bigger one.
Already one CME arrived on the 14th sparking Valentine's Day displays of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) further south than usual. See pictures from Northern Ireland in the UK (external link)
The other two CMEs are expected to arrive in the next 24-48 hours. Recent estimates suggest arrival later on the 17th or early 18th Feb. Magnetic storms are likely to follow the arrival of these later CMEs.
Further Northern Lights (aurora) displays are possible some time over the next two nights if skies are clear and the activity peaks in your local night-time.
