Space Weather
Space weather describes changing environmental conditions in near-Earth space. Magnetic fields, radiation, particles and matter, which have been ejected from the Sun, can interact with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and surrounding magnetic field to produce a variety of effects.
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Aurora forecasts
Northern Hemisphere
Some slight auroral enhancements are possible in the next 24 hours. However, any visibility is expected to be mainly restricted to higher geomagnetic latitudes, with a small chance of reaching as far south as northern parts of the UK overnight on Friday (UTC). Viewing opportunities will also be limited by the short hours of darkness at this time of year.
Southern Hemisphere
Slight auroral enhancements are possible in the next 24 hours. However, any visibility is expected to be mainly restricted to Antarctica, with only a small chance of reaching the southernmost parts of New Zealand Friday night (UTC)
Issued at: 07:16 (GMT) on Fri 26 Jun 2026
Forecast overview
Space Weather Forecast Headline: Radio Blackouts likely throughout. Chance of Minor Geomagnetic storms days 1 and 2.
Analysis of Space Weather Activity over past 24 hours
Solar Activity: Solar activity has been Low, with several Common-class flares observed.
Five sunspot regions cover the visible solar disc. The largest in the far southeast is an elongated large spot with a distinct leader and trailer and developing intermediate spots. There is some magnetic complexity visible. The remaining spots are showing small, slow development but are magnetically simple.
No Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) have been observed in available imagery.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: Solar winds are connected to fast winds with Strong levels above 600 km/s observed. Total Interplanetary Magnetic Field was Weak. The north-south component, was variable and Weak, initially mostly negative in direction, then mainly positive since 26/0400 UTC. Geomagnetic activity was Quiet to Active (Kp1-4).
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: The count rate of energetic particles (high energy protons) has persisted at Background with no Solar Radiation Storms occurring.
Four-Day Space Weather Forecast Summary
Solar Activity: Low activity with Moderate levels Likely due to potential for isolated Moderate-class flares from the sunspot region near the southeastern limb.
Solar Wind / Geomagnetic Activity: There are no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections. The connection to coronal hole fast winds is ongoing and has resulted in Strong solar wind speeds which are in erratic and slow decline. During day 1 (26 Jun), there is a Chance of transient features which may increase the geomagnetic response. Solar winds decreasing from later day 1 (26 Jun) to become Elevated and then Slightly Elevated by day 4 (29 Jun).
Geomagnetic activity is Quiet to Unsettled (Kp 1-3) with a declining Chance of Active (Kp 4) or G1/ Minor Geomagnetic Storm intervals (Kp 5). Geomagnetic activity is then expected to ease back towards Quiet to Unsettled (Kp1-3) with a Chance of Active (Kp4) by day 3 (28 Jun).
Energetic Particles / Solar Radiation: The count rate of energetic particles (high energy protons) is expected to persist at Background with no Solar Radiation Storms occurring.
Issued at: 12:13 (GMT) on Fri 26 Jun 2026
Solar imagery
SDO AIA-193
This channel highlights the outer atmosphere of the Sun - called the corona - as well as hot flare plasma. Hot active regions, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections will appear bright here. The dark areas - called coronal holes - are places where very little radiation is emitted, yet are the main source of solar wind particles.
Issued at:
SDO AIA-304
This channel is especially good at showing areas where cooler dense plumes of plasma (filaments and prominences) are located above the visible surface of the Sun. Many of these features either can't be seen or appear as dark lines in the other channels. The bright areas show places where the plasma has a high density.
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