Solar Watch — May 02, 2026 | 06:00 UTC

☀ HELIOS SOLAR WATCH · 2026-05-02 04:00 UTC
Moderate solar activity with unsettled geomagnetic conditions expected
SOLAR: MODERATE
GEO: QUIET

Active Regions
9
X-Ray
A/B (quiet)

Current solar conditions remain generally quiet, though elevated flare probabilities suggest ongoing activity across multiple active regions. The geomagnetic field is currently stable but expected to experience brief periods of minor unrest within the next 24 hours.

HMI Continuum Intensity

HMI Continuum · Visible Light

SUVI 304 — Extreme UV

SUVI 304Å · Extreme Ultraviolet

R0
Radio Blackouts
24h max: R0

S0
Solar Radiation
24h max: S0

G0
Geomagnetic Storm
24h max: G0

Planetary Kp-Index
2.7
0–9 scale · ≥5 = geomagnetic storm

F10.7 Solar Flux
117.0
sfu · >150 = high activity

The sun is currently displaying moderate activity with an F10.7 flux of 117.0 sfu and multiple active regions across the disk. While flare production is currently confined to the C-class range, the presence of 35 active regions suggests a complex photosphere. Geomagnetic indices are fluctuating near Kp 2.7, indicating a quiet to unsettled environment for satellite operators and power grid monitoring.

Key Metric

The 55% probability for M-class flares is the primary metric to track, as it indicates a sustained potential for solar impulsive events that could disrupt localized radio communications.

Expect geomagnetic activity to briefly peak at Kp 4.0 around 06:00 UTC on May 3rd as current solar wind conditions persist. Flare activity will likely remain focused in the C-class range, though there is a non-trivial 55% chance of an M-class eruption given the current solar configuration.

🌌 Aurora Outlook

Aurora visibility is not expected at mid-latitudes (40-60°N). While the brief rise to Kp 4.0 may offer limited viewing for observers in extreme high-latitude locations, mid-latitude regions will remain largely unaffected.

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4432 N11E68 Bxo/B 0/0/0
AR4431 S16E53 Dao/B 2/0/0
AR4428 S23W27 Dai/B 0/0/0
AR4425 N05W19 Dao/B 0/0/0
AR4423 S10W67 Bxo/B 0/0/0
AR4424 N17W49 Eai/B 1/0/0
AR4420 N16W83 Cao/B 4/0/0
AR4429 S04E20 Dso/B 0/0/0
AR4430 N16W31 Dao/B 0/0/0
2026-05-01 15:50:32.247Space Weather Message Code: ALTTP2
2026-04-30 23:59:26.927Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05
2026-04-30 23:11:27.400Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
2026-04-30 23:09:26.960Space Weather Message Code: WARK05
2026-04-30 20:35:36.850Space Weather Message Code: ALTK04

Monitor AR4431 and AR4432 as they rotate; their evolving magnetic complexity will determine if the current 20% X-class flare probability increases in the coming days.