All of this is to be expected. Solar activity goes through an 11 year cycle (roughly) of peaking and tapering off. The next peak should take place in a little over a year, so we're going to see an increase in sunspots and flares at it approaches, and those of us who are far enough north will get a pretty light show in the night skies.
As an aside, I'm freaking stoked for 2013. The northern lights were amazing during the last peak -- I remember one night in particular where they were bright enough and moving in such a way so as to create the illusion that they were coming down towards us. If they're even half as awesome this time around, they'll still be worth the wait.
