Minor C7.6 solar flare erupts at 04:56 UTC on July 1, 2026

A minor C7.6 solar flare erupted at 04:56 UTC on July 1, 2026.

Today’s flares include a C-class event beginning at 00:00 UTC and ending at 04:29 UTC, and a second flare observed from 03:59 to 04:14 UTC from region 4479. Additional rapid burst event was noted at 02:31 UTC.

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on July 1, solar activity reached high levels, mainly due to an X1.1 flare at 20:50 UTC on June 30. Additional activity included an M5.8 flare at 12:57 UTC on June 30 and a C9.1 flare at 19:58 UTC on June 30, with several active regions in a growth phase. Associated with the X1.1 flare was a full-halo coronal mass ejection first visible at 21:45 UTC on June 30.

Solar activity is likely to reach moderate levels (R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate radio blackouts), with a slight chance for X-class flares (R3 – Strong radio blackouts) due to the flare potential of several active regions.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4475 (S09W63 – Beta), AR 4477 (S14W31 – Beta), AR 4478 (S05W06 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4479 (N16W24 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), and AR 4480 (S18W30 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, electron flux above 2 MeV was at moderate to high levels, with a peak of 5 687 pfu. Greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. High levels of electron flux are expected on July 1 and 3, with a slight chance of an S1 – Minor solar radiation storm.

Solar wind parameters remained nominal until an interplanetary shock was observed at 11:02 UTC on June 30, increasing wind speed to 430 km/s and strengthening the total field to 16 nT. Enhancements in solar wind are expected to continue through July 1, with possible further increases late on July 1 or early July 2 due to CME arrivals. A return to nominal conditions is likely by July 3 pending further analysis.

The geomagnetic field was initially quiet before unsettled to G1 – Minor storm conditions developed during the latter half of June 30. G1 – Minor storming is expected, with a chance for G2 – Moderate conditions early on July 1 as CME activity continues. Unsettled to active conditions are likely on July 2, and a return to quiet is expected by July 3.