![\"star](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/star-char-map-june-29-2026.webp\")
Active regions and coronal holes at 23:45 UTC on June 29, 2026. Credit: Solen![\"drap](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/drap-m5.8-solar-flare-june-30-2026.webp\")
Image credit: SWPC<\/p>\nThe Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued an S1 \u2013 Minor solar radiation storm warning at 16:00 UTC on June 30 after today\u2019s M5.8 solar flare. The warning was initially valid through 23:59 UTC but was canceled at 16:36 UTC after conditions no longer justified its continuation.<\/p>\n
While there were no radio signatures detected that would suggest a coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced, the location of the source region near the Sun\u2019s western limb is favorable for solar energetic particles to reach Earth.<\/p>\n
Western imb eruptions can be magnetically well connected to Earth through the interplanetary magnetic field, allowing high-energy protons accelerated during the eruption, or by a shock if a CME is later identified, to arrive even when the bulk of any associated CME is not directed toward Earth.<\/p>\n
Although the warning was canceled, Region 4475 remains near a location favorable for particle transport toward Earth, and any further strong eruptions from the region could again raise the chance of a solar radiation storm over the next several days.<\/p>\n
Radio frequencies were forecast to be most degraded over Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean at the time of the flare.<\/p>\n
Active regions and coronal holes at 23:45 UTC on June 29, 2026. Credit: SolenImage credit: SWPC<\/p>\n
Solar activity was at moderate levels in 24 hours to 12:30 UTC on June 30, driven by frequent C-class flares and an M1.4 flare from Region 4479 \u2014 the largest flare of the period.<\/p>\n
Region 4475 (beta-gamma-delta) showed additional growth in its trailing sunspots while retaining gamma and delta magnetic configurations in its intermediate area. The region produced a C6.1 flare at 17:40 UTC, along with several lower-level C-class events.<\/p>\n
Region 4478 (beta-gamma-delta) produced a C4.1 flare at 03:40 UTC today and consolidated in its leading sunspot group while continuing to decay in its intermediate area.<\/p>\n
Rapid magnetic flux emergence was observed in Region 4479 (beta-gamma-delta). The region developed a stronger mixed-polarity configuration in its intermediate area, producing the M1.4 flare and a C3.5 flare at 17:30 UTC. USAF SOON observers also reported a disappearing solar filament near N13W05 at approximately 17:37 UTC.<\/p>\n
Solar activity is expected to remain at moderate levels through July 2, with isolated M-class flares possible from Regions 4475, 4478, and 4479.<\/p>\n
![\"m5.8](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/m5.8-solar-flare-june-29-2026-sdo-aia-1252-utc-1024x959.webp\")
M5.8 solar flare on June 29, 2026. Credit: NASA SDO\/AIA 131, Helioviewer, The Watchers<\/p>\n
Solar wind conditions returned to near-ambient levels during the reporting period. The total interplanetary magnetic field averaged 3 to 4 nT, while the north-south Bz component remained near neutral. Solar wind speed gradually declined from about 430 km\/s to 330 km\/s, while the solar wind remained predominantly within a negative magnetic sector.<\/p>\n
A disturbed solar wind environment is expected on June 30 and July 1 due to the anticipated arrival of CMEs released on June 26 and 27. Conditions are expected to gradually weaken on July 2.<\/p>\n
Geomagnetic activity remains quiet. G1 \u2013 Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are likely on June 30 with the arrival of a CME released on June 27, with isolated G2 \u2013 Moderate conditions possible. Unsettled to active conditions are then expected during the latter half of July 1 as a second CME arrives, although confidence in that arrival remains lower. Any remaining unsettled to active conditions could continue into early July 2 before mostly quiet conditions return.<\/p>\n
Update<\/p>\n
22:30 UTC, June 30<\/p>\n
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts from Region 4479<\/p>\n
An X1.1 solar flare erupted from Active Region 4479, near the center of the visible solar disk, at 20:50 UTC, triggering R3 \u2013 Strong radio blackout conditions.<\/p>\n
The flare began at 20:34 UTC and ended at 21:00 UTC.<\/p>\n
SWPC said the flare had the potential to cause wide-area high-frequency radio blackouts for about 1 hour across large portions of Earth\u2019s sunlit side, with the strongest effects near the subsolar point.<\/p>\n
The event was accompanied by Type II and Type IV radio emissions. The Type II emission began at 20:44 UTC and had an estimated velocity of 1 496 km\/s, indicating the formation of a shock in the solar corona.<\/p>\n
SWPC said analysis would be conducted once coronagraph imagery becomes available to determine whether an Earth-directed CME was associated with the flare. The source region\u2019s position near the center of the solar disk makes an Earth-directed component possible if a CME was produced.<\/p>\n
References:<\/p>\n