Cycle 25 is not expected to begin until 2020 considering that the minimum for Cycle 24 occurred in 2009. Cycle 24 is the weakest in 100 years and it’s not over yet. According to a ground breaking study in 2015 (see Zharkova) using principle component analysis (PCA), there are two dynamos in the sun, one near the surface and one located deeper in the convective zone. Both dynamos travel in the same direction (CCW) but can be offset in time. When the positions of the dynamos are in phase solar cycles are stronger, out-of-phase, weaker. This study shows that the two dynamos are approaching the largest out-of-phase position (largest offset). In the past when this out-of-phase position occurred there was a period of 30-60 years of cooling. The prediction for the sun is that cycle 25 will be weaker than 24 as the sun enters into a period of hibernation and as a consequence, cooler surface temperatures. The correlation between weak solar minimums and an increase in penetrating cosmic rays as condensation nuclei (more clouds) adds to the cooling effect (see Svensmark). This prediction does not mean that the Earth will enter into another Maunder minimum or a subsequent Little Ice Age (LIA). But the period of warming enjoyed in the last 30 years should be replaced by a period of slight cooling.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression
Looks very quiet to me. The day-glow pirate takes a nap.
https://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/hmi_igr/1024/latest.html
-Frank
Early Republicans?