:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2026 Apr 27 0538 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
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# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
20 - 26 April 2026

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The strongest events
of the period were an X2.4 flare (R3-Strong) at 24/0107 UTC and an
X2.5/2B (R3) at 24/0813 UTC from Region 4419 (N14, L=314,
class/area=Eki/360 on 17 Apr). The X2.4 flare had as associated
Tenflare and CME signature. Modeling of the CME indicated possible
influence from the far periphery of the event on 26 Apr. The X2.5
flare had an associated Type II (est 1,293 km/s), Type IV, and
Tenflare (570sfu) as well as a CME signature in coronagraph imagery.
Modeling of this event suggested the primary bulk of the plasma was
not on the Sun-Earth line.

Other major X-ray events included an M6.4/1F (R2-Moderate) at
24/1815 UTC from Region 4419. The resulting CME was off the
Sun-Earth line. An M6.0 (R2) flare 26/2257 UTC from Region 4420
(N16, L=225, class/area=Fki/400 on 25 Apr). As associated Type II
(est 834 km/s) was reported with this event as well as a 30,000sfu
burst on 245MHz. No CME signature was identified in subsequent
coronagraph imagery.

13 other M-class (R1-Minor) events were observed over the past week
with many producing radio and CME signatures. However, those events
that were associated with CMEs did not contain an Earth-directed
component.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached
high levels on 20-24 Apr and remained at normal background to
moderate levels for the remainder of the report reporting period.

Geomagnetic field activity reached G1 (Minor) storm levels on 20-21
Apr due to influence from a negative polarity CH HSS. Solar wind
speeds peaked around 550 km/s and total magnetic field strength
increased to a brief peak of 10 nT on 20 Apr. The Bz component
reached as far south as -8 nT during the HSS. Quiet to unsettled
conditions were observed over 22-25 Apr. A negative polarity coronal
hole, with possible weak embedded influence from a CME that left the
Sun on 24 Apr, caused isolated active levels on 26 Apr. Solar wind
speeds remained below 500 km/s with this coronal hole.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
27 April - 23 May 2026

Solar activity is expected to reach moderate levels
(R1-R2/Minor-Moderate), with a slight chance for high (R3/Strong),
from 27 Apr - 04 May due to the flare potential from multiple active
regions on the solar disk. The remainder of the outlook period is
likely to be at low levels, with a slight chance for M-class
(R1-R2).

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is
expected reach high levels on 12 Apr, 29 Apr - 05 May, 08-14 May,
and 17-21 May due to the anticipated influence from multiple,
recurrent, CH HSS. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to
be at normal to moderate levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1 (Minor)
geomagnetic storm levels on 07 May and 15-16 May. Active conditions
are likely on 27 Apr, 30 Apr, 08 May, 17-18 May, and 23 May.
Unsettled conditions are likely on 29 Apr, 01 May, 03-04 May, 09
May, and 21-22 May. All enhancement in geomagnetic activity are due
to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs. The
remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at mostly quiet
levels.


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