I did a tiny bit of research this morning and I noticed that on Jan 5th a previously hidden sunspot, AR3182 - which was making a lot of noise on the other side of the sun,  unleashed an X-class solar flare as it rotated into view on the eastern limb of the solar disc.  As it traversed the sun it unleashed two more X-class flares directed at earth on Jan 9th and 10th.  These flares result in massive amounts of radiation which, if earth-directed cause radio blackouts, grid disturbances, damage to orbiting satellites (as well as being serious threat to orbiting astronauts), changes to earth's magnetic field and long-term auroras in the upper atmosphere.

 Solar activity is on the increase and there is a good change of x-flares this weekend.  Help is on the way.