Minor C8.5 solar flare erupts at 17:46 UTC on September 5, 2026

A minor C8.5 solar flare erupted at 17:46 UTC on September 5, 2026.

Today’s flares include a B6.2 at 03:53 UTC from region 4526, C6.4 at 10:45 UTC from region 4524, C1.5 at 12:02 UTC from region 4524, and an M1.0 at 15:18 UTC from region 4520. No X-class flares were observed.

In 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on September 5, solar activity returned to low levels. The largest flares observed were a C6.7 flare and a C6.4 flare. A narrow CME was detected and model analysis indicates at least a glancing blow is possible late on September 7 into early September 8. All active regions displayed stability or weak decay.

Solar activity will likely be at low levels over the next few days, with occasional C-class flares and a slight chance for M-class flares (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) through September 7, 2026.

Active sunspot regions presently observed on the Earth-facing solar disk include AR 4521 (N09E12 – Alpha), AR 4523 (N10E23 – Alpha), AR 4524 (N12E53 – Beta), AR 4525 (N11E66 – Beta), AR 4526 (S02E69 – Beta), and AR 4527 (N03E71 – Alpha).

Over the past 24 hours, the greater than 2 MeV electron flux reached high levels with a peak of 1 616 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux remained at background levels. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to decrease to normal to moderate levels from September 5 to 7. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux will likely remain at background levels through September 7.

Over the past day, solar wind parameters were at nominal levels. The total field averaged near 6 nT, with Bz experiencing weak southward deviations to -5 nT. Solar wind speeds decreased from near 400 km/s to below 350 km/s. Solar wind conditions are anticipated to stay near background levels through September 6, with enhancements expected late on September 6 to early September 7 due to a sector boundary crossing.

The geomagnetic field was mostly quiet, with an isolated unsettled period. Mostly quiet geomagnetic field conditions are expected through September 6, with isolated unsettled conditions possible late on September 6 and unsettled to periodic active levels likely on September 7.