Strong M6.0 solar flare erupts at 22:57 UTC on April 26, 2026

A strong M6.0 solar flare erupted at 22:57 UTC on April 26, 2026.

Today’s flares include the following M-class events: an M1.3 flare from region 4425 (beginning at 00:08 UTC, peaking at 00:23 UTC, and ending at 00:35 UTC), an M1.4 flare from region 4420 (beginning at 13:54 UTC, peaking at 14:03 UTC, and ending at 14:08 UTC), and an M1.7 flare from region 4420 (beginning at 19:18 UTC, peaking at 19:24 UTC, and ending at 19:27 UTC). No X-class flares were reported in today’s event summaries.

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

Solar activity is expected to be 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 observed. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained near background levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be at moderate levels on April 26-27, likely increasing to high levels by April 28, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to remain at background levels.

Solar wind parameters indicated a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) regime, with possible transient influences. Total magnetic field reached 14 nT, Bz deviated to -13 nT, and wind speeds peaked near 500 km/s. Further enhancements in the solar wind environment are anticipated on April 26-27 due to the combined influences of CH HSS and earlier CMEs, with a return to near background levels by April 28 expected.

The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled with a couple of isolated active periods. Isolated G1 – Minor geomagnetic storming conditions are likely on April 26 in response to CH HSS and glancing CME influences. Quiet to unsettled conditions, with possible isolated active periods, are expected on April 27, with mostly quiet conditions likely by April 28 unless additional CME interactions occur.