Solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, and operational impact assessment
Kp Index
5.0
elevated stormRisk Score
68
/100 analytical
Solar Flares (7d)
4
M-class detected
Geomagnetic Storm
Active
elevatedIonospheric disturbances can degrade GPS accuracy by 2–10m at high Kp. HF radio blackouts possible during X-flares.
Elevated atmospheric heating expands thermosphere, increasing drag on LEO satellites. Orbit decay accelerated at Kp ≥ 5.
HF radio blackouts affect transpolar flight communications. Airlines may reroute away from polar tracks during major events.
Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) can stress high-voltage transformers. G4–G5 storms historically caused grid failures.
Current radiation storm level: S1 - Minor. Solar energetic particles impact spacecraft electronics and crewed missions.
Coronal Mass Ejections
2026-06-18 00:00 UTC
CME first seen to the WNW in SOHO LASCO C2 starting around 2026-06-18T:00Z. It is also seen to the WNW in SOHO LASCO C3 and GOES CCOR-1 but is not seen in STEREO A COR2. The source of this CME is most likely a small filament eruption from beyond the NW limb best seen in SDO AIA 304 beginning around 2026-06-17T23:24Z, likely from former AR 14463 (N17W96).
2026-06-18 01:26 UTC
Very faint CME observed to the N in SOHO LASCO C2/C3 and to the NE in STEREO A COR2. No distinct source is observed for this event, but does triangulate around N53W07 on-disk. Potentially observed as weak field line movement over the N limb in SDO AIA 171 spanning approximately 2026-06-17T22:00Z to 2026-06-18T00:00Z, but this appears quite far from the triangulated source.
2026-06-18 01:28 UTC
Faint CME observed to the W in SOHO LASCO C2 before it is overtaken by brighter CME: 2026-06-18T02:36Z. The source is likely former AR 14464, located ~S14W100, observed as a small deflecting filament ejecta and field line movement over the SW limb in GOES SUVI 171/304 starting around 2026-06-18T00:16Z.
2026-06-18 02:36 UTC
CME observed to the W in SOHO LASCO C2/C3 and GOES CCOR-1, and maybe faintly to the W in STEREO A COR2 although difficult to resolve/triangulate this observation. This CME quickly overtakes CME: 2026-06-18T01:28Z likely from the same source, former AR 14464 over the SW limb ~S14W100, observed in GOES SUVI 171 as field line movement over the SW limb starting around 2026-06-18T01:56Z.
2026-06-18 06:24 UTC
CME observed to the W in SOHO LASCO C2/C3 and GOES CCOR-1, and faintly to the W in STEREO A COR, as the CME was directed more directly towards STEREO A. The source is far-sided, and a complex eruption between two active regions, AR 14463 (N17W97) and AR 14464 (S14W100). Starting around 2026-06-18T05:36Z, filament ejecta is observed in SDO AIA 304 erupting from AR 14463, deflecting southward towards AR 14464 which triggers a larger filament ejecta and field line movement in SDO AIA 171/304 starting around 2026-06-18T06:09Z (as such, is considered the main source of material). This is also observed in STEREO A EUVI 304 at 2026-06-18T05:45Z, and as an area of weak dimming between the regions centered ~N00W90.
Active Geomagnetic Storm
Active geomagnetic storm detected.
NOAA Alert Levels