three X-flares in a row from the same spot....?

Well, ..., yes it's pretty rare and I know that didn't happen during the last solar maximum. Fortunately, they were not Earth directed. 2 or 3 Earth directed solar x-class flares (followed by CME's) within a few hours of each other would certainly be interesting.

This has only happen once in recorded history (See the historical link below) and it could have a devastating affect on us all. However, NASA has been aware of this for quite some time and has been advising power companies on how to protect their equipment. So if we did see multiple Earth directed flares and CME's, I don't think it will cause a world wide shutdown of the power grid. Although power companies, at worst, might voluntarily shutdown for a day or two.

This new activity does seem to suggest that a double peak in the solar maximum is indeed occurring (as predicted a few months ago). For us in the Carolina's it would certainly bring about beautiful displays of Northern lights which we haven't seen here since the last solar maximum. Quite frankly if it did knockout a few street lights (including the one in front of my house), I wouldn't mind a bit! ;)

Hi MeanO

From reading the text given in the link you provided it doesn't seem to be too rare. They are predicting an 80% chance of more flares this week, as for escalation, there does seem to be a pattern so far that they are getting progressively stronger.

JMO