Solar Watch — July 03, 2026 | 18:00 UTC

Solar Flare Activity — Last 12 Hours
Peak: M-class @ 13:13 UTC (2h 47min ago)
  M @ 13:12 UTC

☀ HELIOS SOLAR WATCH · 2026-07-03 16:00 UTC
Geomagnetic activity increasing; G2 conditions expected by early July 4
SOLAR: UNSETTLED
GEO: QUIET

Active Regions
3
X-Ray
A/B (quiet)

Solar activity is shifting from a quiet state to active conditions as geomagnetic disturbances are forecast to ramp up over the next 12 hours. We anticipate a G2 geomagnetic storm by midnight, driven by anticipated solar wind impacts.

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: G1

Planetary Kp-Index
2.3
0–9 scale · ≥5 = geomagnetic storm

F10.7 Solar Flux
132.0
sfu · >150 = high activity

While current Kp levels are at a modest 2.3, the solar environment is becoming more dynamic. Active region AR4480 recently produced an M-class flare, contributing to the current 132 sfu F10.7 index, suggesting a moderate, sustained level of solar output as we head into the overnight period.

Key Metric

The forecasted Kp 5.67 peak is the most critical metric, as it indicates a G2 storm level sufficient to influence power grid fluctuations and satellite drag for low-Earth orbit operators.

Conditions are expected to escalate quickly, moving from Kp 4.67 at 18:00 UTC to a peak of Kp 5.67 (G2 storm) by 00:00 UTC on July 4. Expect sustained unsettled to active conditions throughout the remainder of the forecast window.

🌌 Aurora Outlook

Observers at mid-latitudes (40-60°N) should monitor local conditions starting late this evening as the G2 storm develops. While visibility is not guaranteed at the lower end of the range, conditions are favorable for aurora sightings in northern Canada, Scandinavia, and similar high-latitude regions.

Region Location Class Flares C/M/X
AR4480 S17W71 Eai/BG 1/1/0
AR4479 N16W66 Eki/BGD 4/0/0
AR4478 S06W45 Fko/BG 1/0/0
2026-07-03 12:09:51.550Space Weather Message Code: WARK04
2026-07-03 11:38:06.157Space Weather Message Code: WARSUD
2026-07-03 11:24:17.033Space Weather Message Code: WATA30
2026-07-02 09:35:50.760Space Weather Message Code: WATA30
2026-07-01 23:20:07.560Space Weather Message Code: SUMXM5

Watch for the transition in the Kp index between 18:00 and 21:00 UTC, which will confirm the arrival of the solar wind perturbation.