STD Update: 30 April 2003, 05:55 UTC

[Dirk Obudzinski]

Last Update: 30 April 2003, 05:55 UTC (1:55 am EDT 30 April):

Aurora / Geomagnetic Activity Update:
A surprisingly strong substorm near 03:00 UTC (11 pm EDT) resulted in visible auroral activity over numerous middle latitude locations. Although activity has since subsided, there is a persisting chance some dark-sky middle latitude regions may spot brief periods of visible activity, particularly over the next 24 to 48 hours during which effects of a recurrent solar coronal hole are expected to begin affecting activity.

Solar Update:
Active regions 349 and 345 (now nearing the central solar meridian) are beginning to become more of a concern. Additional growth in either region could result in M-class flare activity with a slight chance of a major flare.