Minor C9.7 solar flare erupts at 18:03 UTC on April 26, 2026

A minor C9.7 solar flare erupted at 18:03 UTC on April 26, 2026.

Today’s flares include a moderate M1.3 flare from region 4425 (start 00:08 UTC, peak 00:23 UTC, end 00:35 UTC) and a moderate M1.4 flare from region 4420 (start 13:54 UTC, peak 14:03 UTC, end 14:08 UTC). C-class flares of various intensities were also observed from regions 4420, 4424, and 4425 throughout the day.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on April 26, solar activity was at moderate levels, with a pair of M-class flares and several low-level C-class events recorded.

Solar activity is expected to remain at low levels with M-class flares likely and a slight chance for X-class flares through April 28.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4419 (N15W79 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4420 (N17E10 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4421 (S11E24 – Alpha), AR 4422 (N08W73 – Alpha), AR 4423 (S05E30 – Beta-Delta), AR 4424 (N17E45 – Beta), and AR 4425 (N06E76 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at low to moderate levels with a peak of 403 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained near background levels. Electron flux is expected to be at moderate levels through April 27, likely increasing to high levels by April 28, with proton flux remaining at background.

Solar wind conditions showed a transition to a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream with total field reaching up to 14 nT and maximum wind speeds near 500 km/s. Further enhancements from this stream and glancing CME influences are anticipated through April 27, with a return to background levels by April 28 if no additional CMEs occur.

The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled with a few isolated active periods. Isolated G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are likely on April 26, with mostly quiet to unsettled conditions and isolated active periods expected on April 27. Quiet conditions should return by April 28, barring new CME interactions.