A powerful solar flare that occurred in 2026 has caused a magnetic storm on Earth, which has already reached a level of G4.7 and may soon reach the maximum level of G5. This is reported by RIA Novosti, citing data from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientists warn that if the parameters of the solar wind remain unchanged, the magnetic storm could escalate to the highest level of G5 within one to two hours.
The phenomenon itself began the evening before, when a plasma stream ejected from the Sun reached our planet following one of the most powerful flares of the year.
The first X-class flare in 2026 occurred on Sunday and was rated at X1.95. The laboratory also noted that the level of solar protons near Earth reached record values for the past two decades. The last time such levels were recorded was on October 29, 2003, just before the strongest magnetic storm of the 21st century.
Solar flares are classified by the intensity of their X-ray emissions into five categories: A, B, C, M, and X. These phenomena can provoke magnetic storms on Earth, which, in turn, lead to disruptions in power systems and affect the migration of animals and birds. The strongest storms can disrupt shortwave communication, affect navigational systems, and cause voltage fluctuations in industrial networks. Additionally, increased solar activity can contribute to the expansion of areas where auroras can be observed. However, there is still no conclusive evidence that magnetic storms have an impact on human health.
