Strong M6.8 solar flare erupts at 19:29 UTC on June 21, 2026

A strong M6.8 solar flare erupted at 19:29 UTC on June 21, 2026. This event began at 19:17 UTC, peaked at 19:29 UTC, and ended at 19:35 UTC, originating from active region 4473.

Today’s flares include an M6.8 (peak 19:29 UTC, region 4473), an M2.6 (peak 02:46 UTC, region 4473), and several C-class and B-class events spanning throughout the day. All M-class activity originated from region 4473.

In the 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on June 21, solar activity reached moderate levels. Most flare events were from active region 4473. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were observed.

Solar activity is expected to remain at predominantly low levels from June 21 to June 23, with a chance for M-class flares.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4465 (N08W90 – Beta), AR 4470 (N08E14 – Beta), AR 4471 (N19W17 – Alpha), AR 4472 (S14E54 – Beta), and AR 4473 (S08E69 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux was normal to moderate and the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. These conditions are expected to persist through June 23.

Solar wind parameters returned to background levels, with total magnetic field strength reaching 7 nT, Bz ranging between +/-5 nT, and wind speeds steady at 350–400 km/s. Background solar wind conditions are expected to continue through June 22, with enhanced conditions possible on June 23 due to a coronal hole high speed stream.

The geomagnetic field was quiet over the past 24 hours. Mostly quiet conditions are anticipated over June 21–22, with periods of active conditions possible on June 23 as a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream arrives.