The sun certainly makes a difference in our hobby. Here are some sites that will help you keep track of what is going on with the sun.
Fox News talks about solar storms!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_TzIUlaQok
NASA Solar Flare
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYOGjSoKsM&feature=fvsr
Here are some propagation forecasters
Here is a Propagation Site with lots of good data
QSLl.,net has a great propagation site