Preflare State

Discussion on the preflare state held at the Ottawa Flares 22 Workshop focused on the interpretation of solar magnetograms and of Hα filament activity. Magnetograms from several observatories provided evidence of significant build up of electric currents in flaring regions. Images of X-ray emitting structures provided a clear example of magnetic relaxation in the course of a flare. Emerging and cancelling magnetic fields appear to be important for triggering flares and for the formation of filaments, which are associated with eruptive flares. Filaments may become unstable by the build up of electric current helicity. Examples of heliform eruptive filaments were presented at the Workshop. Theoretical models linking filaments and flares are briefly reviewed.