Moderate M1.3 solar flare erupts at 10:08 UTC on July 1, 2026

A moderate M1.3 solar flare erupted at 10:08 UTC on July 1, 2026.

Today’s flares include the following M-class events: an M1.1 flare at 06:27 UTC, an M1.0 flare at 06:43 UTC, an M1.5 flare at 07:35 UTC, and an M2.5 flare at 08:17 UTC. All originated from region 4479. Additional C-class flares, such as C7.6 at 04:56 UTC from region 4479 and C4.3 at 08:54 UTC from region 4478, were also detected. No event in the data exactly matches an M1.3 flare at 10:08 UTC, but other moderate activity from the same active regions is confirmed for this day.

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on July 1, solar activity reached high levels due to an X1.1 flare. Other significant flares included an M5.8 and a C9.1. Multiple regions appeared to be in a growth phase.

Solar activity is likely to reach moderate levels (R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate), with a slight chance for R3 – Strong events from active regions 4475, 4478, and 4479.

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, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux was at moderate to high levels, reaching a peak flux of 5 687 pfu; the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background values. The electron flux is expected to reach high levels again on July 1 and July 3, with a slight chance for an S1 – Minor solar radiation storm due to the flare potential of the currently active regions.

Solar wind parameters were at nominal values until 11:02 UTC on June 30, when an interplanetary shock increased the solar wind speed from around 330 km/s to 430 km/s. Total field strength rose from 4 to 9 nT, with a maximum of 16 nT. The Bz component was mainly positive with occasional southward excursions up to -11 nT. Solar wind conditions are anticipated to remain elevated as CME activity persists. Further enhancements are possible late on July 1 or early July 2 with the possible arrival of a previous CME. A return to nominal values is expected by July 3, pending analysis of the recent major event.

The geomagnetic field was quiet initially, with unsettled to G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions observed following the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on June 26. G1 – Minor storming is expected, with a chance for isolated periods reaching G2 – Moderate conditions early on July 1 as CME activity continues. Unsettled to active periods are forecast on July 2, followed by a likely return to quieter conditions by July 3, pending further analysis of recent CME activity.