Moderate M1.0 solar flare erupts at 12:14 UTC on August 26, 2026

A moderate M1.0 solar flare erupted at 12:14 UTC on August 26, 2026.

Today’s flare activity included a minor C1.2 event that began at 00:27 UTC, peaked at 00:50 UTC, and ended at 01:03 UTC from region 4513; a strong M2.2 event that began at 06:29 UTC, peaked at 06:34 UTC, and ended at 06:38 UTC, also from region 4513; and a minor C1.5 event that began at 11:40 UTC, peaked at 11:47 UTC, and ended at 11:52 UTC. All events originated from region 4513.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on August 26, solar activity reached moderate levels. The most notable event was a moderate M2.2 flare peaking at 06:34 UTC, accompanied by a 10.7 cm radio burst and a type II radio sweep with an estimated shock speed of 930 km/s. No associated CME has been detected in available coronagraph imagery as of report time.

Solar activity is likely to remain at minor to moderate (R1-R2) levels, with a slight chance for strong (R3) activity through August 28, mainly due to the active flare history and potential of region 4513.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4513 (N04W04 – Beta-Gamma-Delta), AR 4515 (S07E09 – Alpha), AR 4516 (N16W68 – Beta-Gamma), and AR 4517 (N10W17 – Beta-Gamma).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels with a peak flux of 1 350 pfu at 11:25 UTC, while the greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background-like levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to continue reaching high levels through August 27, returning to moderate levels on August 28. There is a slight chance for the greater than 10 MeV proton flux to reach S1 – Minor storm levels through August 28, mostly due to the activity and development of region 4513.

Solar wind parameters remained at undisturbed levels, with solar wind speeds between approximately 300 and 340 km/s, total magnetic field at or below 5 nT, and Bz northward or near neutral. Nominal solar wind conditions are expected to continue until midday on August 27, when positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream influences are anticipated. Additional solar wind disturbances, with increased densities and total IMF, are likely on August 28 due to the impact of coronal mass ejections that left the Sun on August 25.

The geomagnetic field remained at quiet levels. The field is expected to remain mostly quiet through midday on August 27; by mid to late August 27, unsettled to G1 – Minor storm levels are likely due to the onset of coronal hole high-speed stream conditions. G2 – Moderate storms are likely on August 28 due to the anticipated impact of the recent coronal mass ejections.