The above plot compares the rise of Cycle 25 (red) to three previous solar cycles: Cycle 24 (green - a small cycle), Cycle 23 (orange - an average cycle) and Cycle 21 (blue - a big cycle). Note that Cycle 25 is initially tracking both Cycle 24 and Cycle 21.

The next 6 to 12 months will likely give us a better clue as to what Cycle 25 is going to do. So far in early September, Cycle 25 has produced many more sunspots than in previous months. Perhaps this is an omen of a cycle that will be at least as big as Cycle 24.

ARRL DX CW 2012 - Which 10M Path

Is the ionosphere really lower

Grand Solar Minima

Butterfly Diagrams and Solar Minimum

A Look at All Twenty Three Solar Cycles

The Robust Equatorial Ionosphere