An X1.7 X-ray flare was observed at 1840Z from Region 1402. A warning has been issued for a S1 solar radiation storm. This warning is in effect for the next 24 hours.
This is the first X-class flare since November 3, 2011, when an X1.9 occurred.
Region 1402 is close to the limb, and CME (if any) should not be geoeffective.
This flare caused an R3 level radio blackout over North America, with a pretty much complete loss of HF propagation for about 30 minutes. Right now, the 15 MHz WWV signal has recovered from nothing to about S9 with fading. Normally, it would be about 20 over.
