Solar flaring activity was high over the past 24 hours, with five M-class flares. The strongest flare was an M3.1 flare (SIDC Flare 6350) peaking at 21:17 UTC on December 8, which was associated with SIDC Sunspot Group 709 (NOAA Active Region 4294, magnetic type beta-gamma-delta). There are currently nine numbered active regions on the solar disk. The most complex one is SIDC Sunspot Group 709 (NOAA Active Region 4294). SIDC Sunspot Groups 719, 720 (both magnetic type beta) have emerged in the southeast quadrant. SIDC Sunspot Group 621 (NOAA Active Region 4295) has decayed into a plage region. The solar flaring activity is expected to be moderate over the next 24 hours, with M-class flares very likely and a small chance for X-class flares.
A coronal mass ejection (SIDC CME 607) was observed in LASCO/C2 coronagraph data starting at 22:36 UTC on December 08. The CME is directed primarily to the west from the Earth's perspective and is associated with the M1.2 flare (SIDC Flare 6344), peaking at 22:28 UTC on December 08, associated with SIDC Sunspot Group 687 (NOAA Active Region 4299). While the bulk of the ejecta is expected to miss Earth, a glancing blow could be possible from late on December 11. Further analysis is ongoing to better estimate its impact.
Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 10 MeV GOES proton flux was enhanced but remained below the 10 pfu threshold. The 10 MeV GOES proton flux is expected to remain so over the next days, with chances for further enhancements.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux measured by GOES 18 and GOES 19 was close to the 1000 pfu threshold but remained mostly below it in the last 24 hours. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain around the 1000 pfu threshold levels in the next 24 hours. The 24-hour electron fluence is presently at moderate levels and is expected to remain so over the next 24 hours.