Double coronal hole spewing high speed stream toward Earth

A double-barreled hole has opened up in the sun’s atmosphere and it is spewing a split-stream of solar wind toward Earth. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this composite UV image of the double coronal hole on August 20th:

Sky watchers should be alert for auroras when the solar wind arrives on August 22-24. NOAA forecasters estimate a 35% to 50% chance of high-latitude geomagnetic activity. (SpaceWeather)

Solar activity continues at very low levels with only minor C-Class activity taking place. Sunspot 1272 in the southern hemisphere did show some growth over the past 24 hours. Sunspot 1271 remains a large area, but otherwise has been quiet. There will be a chance for C-Class flares and perhaps a low risk of an M-Class event. (SolarHam)

The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled due to the arrival of a favorably positioned negative polarity coronal hole. The geomagnetic field is expected to be unsettled with a chance for active conditions at high latitudes on Days 1 and 2 (22-23 Aug) with the arrival of a second coronal hole high speed stream (HSS). Day 3 (24 Aug) is expected to decrease to quiet conditions as effects from the HSS subside. (NOAA SWPC Solar report)

CORONAL HOLES AND THE SOLAR WIND