:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2001 Jan 16 2112 UT
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
08 - 14 January 2001

Solar activity was at low to moderate levels during the period. The
period began with activity at low levels due to isolated C-class
subflares. Activity increased to moderate levels on 09 January due
to an M1/1n flare from Region 9306 (N12, L = 055, class/area Fac/510
on 14 January). Region 9306, which showed gradual development
through the period, was a large region with a moderate degree of
magnetic complexity. Activity remained at moderate levels during 10
January by virtue of an impulsive M3/1n flare at 10/1016 UTC from
Region 9302 (N19, L = 088, class/area Cso/110 on 5 January), which
was in a short-lived growth phase at the time of the flare. Region
9306 produced a long-duration C5/1n flare at 10/0103 UTC associated
with a partial- halo CME, and Type II and IV radio sweeps. Another
Type IV radio sweep occurred at 10/0119 UTC. Activity decreased to
low levels during 11 - 14 January due to isolated to occasional
low-level C-class subflares. A large filament erupted from the
northwest limb at approximately 14/0430 UTC. A large coronal mass
ejection followed the eruption, but it did not appear to be
Earth-directed.

Data were available from the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)
spacecraft for most of the period. A weak, positive-polarity high
speed stream occurred during 10 - 11 January with velocities briefly
reaching as high as 510 km/sec during 11 January. A weak shock
passed the spacecraft at approximately 13/0200 UTC, presumably
associated with the partial-halo CME observed on 10 January.

There were no proton events detected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at
normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels during
most of the period. However, an active period occurred during
12/0300 - 0600 UTC.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
17 January - 12 February 2001

Solar activity is expected to be at mostly low levels with isolated
M-class flares possible sometime during the period.

No proton events are expected during the period.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected to be at normal to moderate levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled
levels, barring an Earth-directed CME.


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