Moderate M1.8 solar flare erupts at 20:22 UTC on July 1, 2026

A moderate M1.8 solar flare erupted at 20:22 UTC on July 1, 2026.

This flare began at 20:15 UTC, peaked at 20:22 UTC, and ended at 20:28 UTC. Today’s flare activity also included multiple M-class events: M1.1 at 06:27 UTC, M1.0 at 06:43 UTC, M1.5 at 07:35 UTC, M2.5 at 08:17 UTC, M1.3 at 10:08 UTC, M1.1 at 14:31 UTC, M2.6 at 14:54 UTC, M3.5 at 19:43 UTC, and C-class flares among others. The primary source regions for these events were active regions 4479, 4478, and 4475.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on July 1, solar activity reached high levels, highlighted by a major X1.1 flare at 20:50 UTC on June 30, and several M-class flares. These active regions are in a growth phase and several small delta spots were noted.

Solar activity is likely to remain at moderate levels (R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate), with a slight chance for major (R3 – Strong) events due to the persistence of 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, peaking at 5 687 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux was at background levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on July 1 and July 3, with moderate levels likely on July 2 due to possible CME arrival. There is a slight chance for an S1 – Minor solar radiation storm.

Solar wind conditions were enhanced due to CME arrival, with total field strength increasing to 18 nT and solar wind speeds steady near 425 km/s. The Bz component showed variability, occasionally deflecting southward to -10 nT. Solar wind parameters are expected to continue to be enhanced on July 1, with further increases possible late on July 1 to early July 2 and again on July 3, dependent on CME arrivals.

The geomagnetic field was initially quiet but became active with G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm conditions noted during the latter half of the period. G1 – Minor storming is expected to continue, with a chance for isolated G2 – Moderate periods through early July 1. Unsettled to active conditions are likely on July 2, with a possible increase to G1-G2 storm levels by July 3 pending further CME impacts.