Minor C8.2 solar flare erupts at 19:28 UTC on August 16, 2026

A minor C8.2 solar flare erupted at 19:28 UTC on August 16, 2026.

Today’s flare activity includes multiple C-class events. No X-class or M-class flares were reported in available data. C-class flares observed included a C1.0 flare at 02:33 UTC from region 4508, a C2.7 flare at 02:49 UTC from region 4506, and a C3.7 flare at 03:18 UTC from region 4507. Additional C-class events were detected from regions 4506, 4507, and 4508 throughout the day.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on August 16, solar activity was at low levels with only C-class flares observed. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were identified. Regions 4506 (N12W39, beta-gamma), 4507 (N04W22, beta-gamma), and 4508 (N07E10, beta) were the main contributors to flare activity, while other regions remained mostly stable.

There is a likelihood of isolated C-class flares, with a slight 15% chance for R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate radio blackouts through August 18.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4503 (S17W81 – Beta), AR 4506 (N11W31 – Beta), AR 4507 (N04W15 – Beta), AR 4508 (N08E15 – Beta), AR 4509 (N10W89 – Beta), AR 4510 (N12W44 – Alpha), AR 4511 (S09E40 – Alpha), and AR 4512 (S19W15 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate levels, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. The electron flux is expected to stay at low to moderate levels from August 16-18, and the proton flux is anticipated to remain at background values through August 18.

During the past 24 hours, solar wind parameters reflected near-background conditions. The total magnetic field was below 5 nT and solar wind speeds remained low at approximately 330-360 km/s. The phi angle was variable. Enhancements in solar wind parameters related to a coronal mass ejection from August 14 are expected to occur from August 17-18.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels over the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field is likely to remain mostly quiet on August 16. An increase to active levels, with a chance for a G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm, is anticipated on August 17-18 with the arrival of the August 14 CME.