Summary and Forecast
Solar Summary
(last updated 24 Apr 2026 23:31 UT)
Activity 24 Apr: R3 Flares Max Fadeout Freq. Sectors X2.4 0107UT probable all West Pacific X2.5 0813UT probable all Mid East/Indian M2.0 0907UT possible lower Mid East/Indian M1.7 1301UT possible lower European M6.4 1815UT probable lower East Pacific/ North American Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 24 Apr: 146/100
Solar Forecast
(last updated 24 Apr 2026 23:31 UT)
25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr Activity R2, chance of R3 R2, chance of R3 R1-R2 Fadeouts Probable Probable Probable 10.7cm/SSN 152/107 148/102 145/99 COMMENT: Solar flare activity on UT day 24-Apr was at the R3 level due to an X2.4 flare at 24/0107UT and an X2.5 flare at 24/0813UT. An M6.4 (R2) level flare was also observed at 24/1815UT. All the above flares were produced by active region (AR) 4419 (N15W80, beta). There are currently six numbered and two unnumbered sunspot regions visible on the solar disk. AR 4419 appears to have exhibited some spot growth, though its position close to the limb limits the reliability of this assessment. AR 4420 (N16E14, beta-gamma) is the largest region on the disk and has exhibited growth in its trailer spots over the UT day. Regions 4423 (S07E34, beta-gamma) and 4424 (N16E43, beta) recently appeared on the solar disk and have shown spot growth. Two unnumbered regions are visible near N10W22 (beta) and N04E75 (beta). The first has shown spot growth, whilst the second recently rotated over the eastern limb and appears stable. All other sunspot regions are either stable or in decay. Solar flare activity is expected to be at the R2 level over 25-26 Apr, with a chance of R3 due to the ongoing flare activity of region 4419 and the magnetic complexity of regions 4420 and 4423. Flare activity is expected to reduce to R1-R2 levels from 27-Apr. S0 solar proton conditions were observed on UT day 24-Apr. S0 solar proton conditions are expected over 25-27 Apr, with a chance of S1 due to the western limb location of flare-active region 4419. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed on UT day 24-Apr. Two northwest-directed CMEs were observed in association with the aforementioned X-class flares, but modelling indicates that neither is geoeffective. A filament eruption was observed in H-alpha imagery near S27E58 at 24/1742UT, but no significant CME has been observed in association with this event. The solar wind speed on UT day 24-Apr mildly decreased, ranging from 420 to 355 km/s and is currently near 395 km/s. The peak total interplanetary magnetic field strength (IMF, Bt) was 8 nT and the north-south IMF component (Bz) range was -8 to +4 nT. A period of sustained southward IMF conditions began at 24/1630UT and is ongoing. The solar wind speed is expected to increase on 25-Apr due to a small coronal hole. An additional increase is expected on 26-Apr due to the arrival of a CME first observed on 23-Apr. The solar wind is expected to remain elevated on 27-Apr.
Solar Activity levels are explained in the SWS Solar Terrestrial Glossary.
