Moderate M1.7 solar flare erupts at 07:58 UTC on April 4, 2026

A moderate M1.7 solar flare erupted at 07:58 UTC on April 4, 2026. This event began at 07:38 UTC, peaked at 07:58 UTC, and ended at 08:14 UTC, originating from region 4409.

Today’s flares include a strong M7.5 flare (01:17 UTC, region 4409), moderate M1.7 flare (07:58 UTC, region 4409), and several minor C-class flares from region 4409 throughout the day.

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on April 4, solar activity was at moderate levels. The majority of X-ray events were produced by region 4409, with remaining spotted regions reported mostly stable or in gradual decay. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

Solar activity is likely to reach moderate levels, with a slight chance for X-class flares, from April 4 to April 6, primarily driven by activity in regions 4404, 4405, and 4409.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4399 (S16W92 – Alpha), AR 4401 (N25W97 – Alpha), AR 4403 (N15W53 – Beta), AR 4404 (N13W34 – Beta), AR 4405 (S27W20 – Beta), AR 4406 (N07W29 – Alpha), AR 4408 (N08W02 – Alpha), AR 4409 (N02W01 – Beta-Gamma), AR 4410 (N10W0* – Beta), and AR 4411 (S05E46 – Alpha).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels, peaking at 4 465 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained elevated, reaching 6 pfu, but did not exceed S1 – Minor thresholds. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain high through April 6, with a slight chance for the proton flux to reach S1 – Minor.

In the last 24 hours, solar wind parameters indicated a transition from negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream influences to CME-driven enhancements. Solar wind speed peaked near 800 km/s, total magnetic field strength reached 14 nT, and Bz was oriented mostly southward. The enhanced solar wind environment is forecast to continue through April 6 as CME effects wane and negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream influences persist.

The geomagnetic field reached G3 – Strong storm levels following the arrival of a CME launched on April 1. Geomagnetic conditions are expected to be at G1 – Minor to G2 – Moderate storm levels on April 4 due to combined CME and coronal hole effects, with G1 – Minor expected on April 5 and active conditions on April 6 as transient disturbances subside.