The northern lights across Donegal. Photo by Kenneth Mc Donagh Photography — **The northern lights across Donegal. Photo by** **Kenneth Mc Donagh Photography**

Earth-facing sunspot AR2816 exploded this morning, producing a C3.8-class solar flare. The sunspot can be seen on the below animation producing a CME. With the location of the sunspot been on the center of this storm this has send a earth Directed CME ( Coronal mass ejection)

**sunspot AR2816 launching a CME this morning**

A pulse of X-rays and UV radiation ionized the top of Earth's atmosphere, producing a shortwave radio blackout over southeast Asia. Of greater interest, however, is this shadowy wave rippling away from the blast site.

This is a "solar tsunami." Such waves are usually associated with the launch of coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Minor noise on amateur radio bands on Earth dayside and degradation in GPS signalS near dawn and dusk (colored regions in map). occurred as the solar storm was in progress.

Direct solar storm and CME impact forecast by NASA

An Earth-directed solarstorm is coming! NASA prediction model shows impact early April 25. Coronagraph shows a full-halo (teal line) ring around the Sun confirming the storm is Earth directed. Expect amateur radio & GPS reception issues & aurora to mid-latitudes!

**Full Halo ring around the sun confirms a earth directed solar storm**

weather forecast

The weather forecast for much of Ireland on Saturday night and Sunday night is for mostly clear condations so if earth is hit by the CME by as early as later Saturday or on Sunday there will be a good chance many may see the aurora this weekend but this will all depend if NASAs data is right.

Donegal Weather Channel will continue to update you on the chance of the aurora this weekend and if there is a earth directed CME. We will also post when we see signs that it hits.

Stay tuned

Kenneth from the Donegal Weather Channel

You can find all the latest weather warnings and forecasts by downloading our app from the google play store by clicking below