Solar Watch — October 21, 2026 | 18:00 UTC

☀ Helios Solar Watch · 2026-10-21 16:00 UTC
QUIET

Solar activity is currently quiet, though geomagnetic conditions are expected to briefly reach unsettled levels later today. Seven active regions are present on the disk, but flare production remains minimal.

HMI Continuum Intensity

Visible light · 3 active regions

SUVI 304 — Extreme UV

Extreme UV · 304 Å

Kp Index
1.7
5 or above = storm

Geomagnetic
G0
24 h max: G1

X-Ray
A/B
quiet


⚠ Kp 4 reached · 4 more below
Next 24 h

Geomagnetic conditions are expected to rise to Kp 4.67 (G1 level) around 21:00 UTC tonight due to lingering effects of recent solar wind trends.

more

Conditions will likely subside to quieter levels by early tomorrow morning, with a low 20% probability of M-class flares.

🌌 Aurora

Visibility for mid-latitudes remains unlikely, though high-latitude observers in Canada and Scandinavia may catch brief, faint displays during the peak expected near 21:00 UTC.

more

Casual observers at mid-latitudes (40-60°N) should not expect significant activity.

👁 Watch for

Monitor the geomagnetic index around 21:00 UTC to see if the forecasted minor disturbance materializes as expected.

▸ Detailed readings

Radio blackout
 R0
(24 h max R0)
Radiation
 S0
(24 h max S0)
F10.7
 115.0
sfu

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4551 S15W83 Eko/B 1/0/0
AR4560 N13W28 Dai/BG 0/0/0
AR4557 N06W54 Dai/BG 0/0/0
NOAA messages
2026-10-21 04:29  Kp 4 reached (ALTK04)
2026-10-21 02:05  Kp 4 expected (WARK04)
2026-10-20 19:12  Kp 20 possible (WATA20)
2026-10-19 09:09  SUM10R (SUM10R)
2026-10-16 14:19  Electron flux F3 reached (ALTEF3)


Helios Observer · Data: NOAA SWPC · updated every 12 h