On January 22nd 2012, skywatchers in the northern hemisphere were rewarded with amazing displays of aurora. The cause of these displays was a Kp level 5.67 geomagnetic storm originating from solar activity on the 19th of January, produced visible aurorae throughout the northern hemisphere and viewers as far south as northeast England had great auroral views.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels with brief major storm levels at high latitudes. An interplanetary shock passed the ACE spacecraft at approximately 22/0514Z, likely indicating the arrival of the halo-CME observed on 19 January. This was followed by a geomagnetic sudden impulse (SI) at 22/0614Z (31 nT, Boulder USGS magnetometer). Field activity increased to unsettled to minor storm levels following the SI.