Updated Solar Flare Activity

SOLAR FLARE ALERT 4: Earth-orbiting satellites have just detected a M3.0 class solar flare at 20-Aug-2026 at 16:11:00 UTC. More information to follow. An R1 (minor) radio blackout is possible on the sunlit side of Earth.

This morning’s alert is also updated with the image of the M8.1-Class Solar Flare from Solar Flare Alert 3. It was produced from the same newly-named Sunspot 4413 emerging from the Eastern Limb.  We’ll have to wait and see if the new M3-Class Solar Flare was also produced by emerging Sunspot 4413.

UPDATED UPDATE – YES it was Sunspot 4413 still going strong! 

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Increasing Solar Flare Activity – UPDATED

Three Solar Flares of increasing intensity have been detected within the last 24 hours.

Breakdown of the Flare Classes: M1.0, M1.9, and M8.1

• M1.0 Class Flare: This represents the baseline for moderate solar flares. It has the potential to cause minor, localized high-frequency radio blackouts (R1 level) on the sunlit side of Earth.
• M1.9 Class Flare: Nearly twice as strong as an M1.0, this type of flare can produce a long-duration eruption. In some instances, historical long-duration M1.9 flares have been known to release Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that generate minor to moderate (G1-G2) geomagnetic storms.
• M8.1 Class Flare: A powerful, high-end M-class flare that approaches X-class intensity. Eruptions of this magnitude can produce strong solar radiation storms (S1 or higher) and can force spacecraft operators or high-frequency radio users to adapt to intermittent signal degradation. If paired with a CME, it can trigger strong (G3) geomagnetic storms resulting in visible auroras at much lower latitudes than usual.

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