Minor C8.7 solar flare erupts at 15:43 UTC on April 8, 2026

A minor C8.7 solar flare erupted at 15:43 UTC on April 8, 2026.

Today’s flares include a C1.0 flare from 00:38 to 00:54 UTC in region 4409, a C1.3 from 04:57 to 05:12 UTC in region 4414, a B8.8 flare from 05:51 to 06:00 UTC in region 4406, and a C1.3 event from 12:22 to 12:39 UTC. Several radio burst events were also recorded throughout the day.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on April 8, solar activity was at low levels, with the largest flare reaching C5.7.

Solar activity is expected to remain at low levels from April 8 to April 10, with a chance for moderate M-class flares and a slight chance for major X-class flares, mainly due to the flare potential of active regions 4409 and 4413.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4404 (N13W86 – Beta), AR 4405 (S28W72 – Beta), AR 4406 (N07W81 – Alpha), AR 4408 (N08W56 – Alpha), AR 4409 (N02W57 – Beta-Gamma), AR 4412 (N10W17 – Beta), AR 4413 (N08W60 – Beta-Gamma), and AR 4414 (N12E76 – Alpha).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux remained at high levels, peaking at 7 358 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels, with slight contamination from elevated electron flux. This elevated electron flux is expected to continue through April 9, with a decrease to moderate levels on April 10. The proton flux is expected to stay at background levels.

Solar wind parameters transitioned out of a waning negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream to near nominal conditions, with wind speed declining from about 500 km/s to around 400 km/s. The total magnetic field averaged 4 nT, and the Bz component ranged between ±5 nT, with the phi angle predominantly negative. Nominal solar wind conditions are anticipated on April 8 and 9 before becoming disturbed on April 10 due to a co-rotating interaction region preceding a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream.

The geomagnetic field was generally quiet to unsettled over the reporting period, influenced by the waning negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. Mostly quiet geomagnetic conditions are expected on April 8 and 9, with isolated unsettled intervals possible as the solar wind stabilizes. G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are anticipated on April 10 due to the arrival of the forecasted co-rotating interaction region.