Major X1.4 solar flare erupts at 03:19 UTC on March 30, 2026

A major X1.4 solar flare erupted at 03:19 UTC on March 30, 2026.

The flare began at 02:47 UTC, peaked at 03:19 UTC, and ended at 03:44 UTC. Today’s flares include a C1.6 event (begin: 00:34 UTC, peak: 00:48 UTC, end: 00:59 UTC) and the X1.4 event (begin: 02:47 UTC, peak: 03:19 UTC, end: 03:44 UTC).

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on March 30, solar activity was at low levels. A long-duration C2.1 flare was observed and a C2.5 flare was recorded; no Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available imagery.

Solar activity is expected to be low with a 45% chance for M-class flares (R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate radio blackouts) through April 1.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4399 (S17W26 – Alpha), AR 4401 (N25W27 – Beta), AR 4402 (N18W18 – Beta), AR 4403 (N16E14 – Alpha), AR 4404 (N14E33 – Alpha), AR 4405 (S27E44 – Beta-Gamma), AR 4406 (N09E38 – Alpha), AR 4407 (N18E45 – Beta), and AR 4408 (N09E64 – Alpha).

Over the past 24 hours, electrons greater than 2 MeV at geosynchronous orbit reached a peak level of 3 750 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be at normal to moderate levels on March 30 and 31, with high levels likely on April 1. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue at background levels.

Solar wind parameters reflected a solar sector boundary crossing, with the total magnetic field increasing from 6 nT to a peak of 13 nT. The Bz component saw several early southward excursions to -6 nT but was mostly near neutral or northward afterward. Solar wind speeds increased from about 350 km/s to near 450 km/s by the end of the period, with phi turning positive at approximately 14:12 UTC on March 29. Additional enhancements due to co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and high speed stream (HSS) influences are expected on March 30 and 31, returning to more ambient-like conditions by the end of April 1.

The geomagnetic field was at quiet to active levels over the past 24 hours. G1 – Minor geomagnetic storming is likely on March 30 due to ongoing positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream effects. Unsettled to active conditions are expected to persist into March 31, decreasing to quiet to unsettled levels by April 1 as high speed stream effects wane.