Strong M5.8 solar flare erupts at 12:57 UTC on June 30, 2026

A strong M5.8 solar flare erupted at 12:57 UTC on June 30, 2026.

Today’s flares include an M1.3 flare that began at 00:39 UTC, peaked at 01:16 UTC, and ended at 01:36 UTC from region 4475. Additional events include C-class flares from several regions: a C3.2 at 03:19 UTC, a C3.8 at 06:33 UTC from region 4480, a C2.8 at 09:20 UTC from region 4475, and a C4.3 at 12:34 UTC from region 4477. Multiple lesser C-class and optical flares were also recorded.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on June 30, solar activity reached moderate levels with frequent C-class flares and several moderate M-class flares. The largest reported event was an M1.4 flare at 21:40 UTC on June 29. No major X-class flares were reported in this period.

Solar activity will likely reach moderate levels through July 2 with isolated M-class flare activity expected, primarily from regions 4475, 4478 and 4479.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4475 (S09W49 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4477 (S14W15 – Beta), AR 4478 (S05E08 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4479 (N16W10 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), and AR 4480 (S18W17 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels with a maximum flux of 2 637 pfu, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to return to normal to moderate levels on June 30 with the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on June 26. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is forecast to remain at background levels through July 1, with a slight chance of an S1 – Minor solar radiation storm on July 2 as regions 4478 and 4479 move into a more favorable position.

Solar wind parameters were ambient for most of the period, with a weak enhancement observed near 11:10 UTC, likely related to a transient from June 26–27. The total field increased to 9 nT and the Bz component turned southward to -5 nT. Solar wind speed appeared to remain between 350–450 km/s. A disturbed solar wind environment due to passage of CME is expected for June 30 and July 1, and should subside over July 2.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels. G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are likely today, June 30, with a chance for isolated periods reaching G2 – Moderate levels due to the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on June 27. Unsettled to active conditions are possible late on July 1 with the arrival of another CME, but confidence is lower for this event. Mostly quiet conditions are forecast to return by early July 2.