Recent Solar Activity and the Latest Space Weather Forecast

Today, April 3, 2026, Earth continues to feel the effects of solar events from recent days. Specialists at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) are closely monitoring the situation, which is developing dynamically and could bring moderate geomagnetic disturbances.

One of the recent events affecting space weather in the coming days occurred on April 1 and is associated with a filament eruption on the Sun, followed by a coronal mass ejection — CME. At 15:16 UTC on April 2, NOAA reported that the main mass of the plasma cloud will pass north of Earth's orbit, though some models indicate a possible glancing blow as early as April 4. Analysis is ongoing, and final decisions regarding warnings will be made later.

In parallel, the influence of a high-speed stream from a coronal hole (CH HSS) was increasing. As early as 15:19 UTC that same day, SWPC noted that such streams persist and could cause a G1 level (minor storm) during April 2. By 19:21 UTC, the forecast was confirmed: geomagnetic activity reached G2 — a moderate level — specifically under the influence of the coronal hole. This meant that Earth's magnetosphere had already experienced a noticeable disturbance.

At 19:49 UTC, an official alert followed: a G2 magnetic storm warning has been issued for April 3–4. The reason is the combined influence of the ongoing high-speed stream and that same CME from April 1.

By the evening of April 2, the picture was supplemented with new details. Space weather specialist Stefan Burns reported an M3.5 class flare occurring in active region 4406. This region has become a notable player alongside neighboring 4405 — both are now in the so-called “strike zone,” where their influence on Earth is maximized. Simultaneously, the influence of the CME stream (from the previous day) is overlapping with the current G2 impact from the coronal hole.

At the moment, in the early hours of April 3, the level of geomagnetic activity remains elevated, and the G2 warning is in effect. Under such a scenario, auroras are possible at high latitudes, as well as short-term interference in radio communications and navigation, and weak fluctuations in power systems. Solar Cycle 25 continues to demonstrate activity, and every new event — from flares to ejections — helps to refine forecasts.

SWPC emphasizes: the situation can change. While specialists finalize the modeling, Earth waits to see how the combination of the CH HSS and the approaching CME will develop. It is worth following the developments — space weather never fails to keep things interesting.