Moderate M1.3 solar flare erupts at 07:56 UTC on April 3, 2026

A moderate M1.3 solar flare erupted at 07:56 UTC on April 3, 2026.

This event began at 07:45 UTC, peaked at 07:56 UTC, and ended at 07:58 UTC. It originated from region 4409. Today’s flares include an M1.3 flare from region 4409 at 07:56 UTC, a C7.0 flare from region 4409 at 01:07 UTC, a C2.3 flare from region 4409 at 03:32 UTC, a C6.0 flare at 05:42 UTC, and a C1.5 flare at 09:13 UTC.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on April 3, solar activity reached moderate levels, with M-class flare activity observed. The strongest recent flare was an M3.5 at 18:15 UTC on April 2. Region 4409 continued to develop and produced an impulsive M1.3 flare.

Solar activity is likely to reach moderate (R1-R2 – Minor-Moderate) levels, with a chance for X-class (R3 – Strong) flares over April 3 to 5, primarily due to regions 4404, 4405, and 4409.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4399 (S16W78 – Alpha), AR 4401 (N25W83 – Alpha), AR 4402 (N18W70 – Alpha), AR 4403 (N15W39 – Alpha), AR 4404 (N13W21 – Beta), AR 4405 (S27W07 – Beta), AR 4406 (N07W15 – Alpha), AR 4408 (N08E11 – Alpha), AR 4409 (N02E13 – Beta-Gamma), and AR 4410 (N10W88 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels, with a peak of 1 590 pfu at 10:00 UTC on April 3. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained elevated but below S1 – Minor levels, peaking at 6.5 pfu at 04:05 UTC. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain high through April 5, with a chance for the greater than 10 MeV proton flux to exceed S1 – Minor solar radiation storm levels.

Solar wind parameters indicated ongoing negative polarity CH HSS influence, with magnetic field strength peaking at 14 nT and solar wind speeds increasing to about 725 km/s. This enhanced solar wind environment is expected to continue through April 5 due to persistent CH HSS effects, with an additional enhancement possible late on April 3 or early April 4 from a CME that left the Sun on April 1.

The geomagnetic field reached G1 – Minor to G2 – Moderate geomagnetic storm levels because of negative polarity CH HSS effects. G1 storm conditions are expected on April 3, with periods of G2 storming likely due to ongoing CH HSS and possible CME arrival. G1-G2 storming is likely on April 4, with a chance for G3 – Strong storms. Conditions should decrease to active levels on April 5 as influences subside.