Strong M8.1 solar flare erupts at 11:42 UTC on August 20, 2026

A strong M8.1 solar flare erupted at 11:42 UTC on August 20, 2026.

Today’s flares include a moderate M1.8 event from region 4513, peaking at 08:05 UTC, as well as several minor C-class flares from regions 4513 and 4507. No X-class solar flares have been reported. The list includes:
– M1.8 from region 4513, peaking at 08:05 UTC
– C3.3 from region 4507, peaking at 04:08 UTC
– C3.1 from region 4513, peaking at 04:49 UTC
– Multiple C1.5, C2.0, C1.7, and C2.4 flares from regions 4513 and 4507

In 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on August 20, solar activity reached moderate levels. Newly numbered region 4513 produced an M1.0 (R1 – Minor) flare at 17:17 UTC, while remaining regions on the disk were mostly stable or in gradual decay.

Solar activity is expected to remain at low levels from August 20 to 22, with a chance for M-class flares (R1 – Minor to R2 – Moderate).

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4506 (N12W86 – Beta), AR 4507 (N04W69 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4508 (N08W37 – Beta), AR 4510 (N12W95 – Beta), and AR 4513 (N03E81 – Beta).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit remained at normal to moderate levels. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. There is a chance the electron flux will reach high levels over August 20, with high levels likely on August 21–22 due to coronal hole high-speed stream influences. Proton flux is expected to remain at background levels through August 22.

Solar wind parameters reflected continued influence of a negative polarity coronal hole high-speed stream, with total magnetic field strength ranging from 2–9 nT and a maximum Bz southward deflection of -7 nT. Solar wind speeds were between 530–630 km/s. These conditions are likely to continue, with waning influence through August 22.

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to G1 – Minor storm levels over the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field is likely to reach active levels from August 20 to 22 during the waning phase of the coronal hole high-speed stream.