Sun news: Solar wind arrived and arrived strong last night

Sun news May 16: Solar wind wind arrived and arrived strong last night

Today’s top story: The anticipated fast solar wind arrived, and it arrived strong. It kept Earth’s magnetic field busy over the past day with enhancements that reached G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. Meanwhile, solar wind speeds climbed to high levels over the past day. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) also strengthened to strong levels. These conditions of geomagnetic storming might extend through the weekend. More G1 (minor) and even G2 (moderate) storming might continue through Sunday, as lingering effects of the high-speed solar winds persist. Aurora-watchers, please share your photos with EarthSky.

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 15 – 11 UTC May 16)

Flare activity

Over the past day, activity on the sun itself stayed low . The sun produced only  C (common) and B (weak) flares, 10 total: five C flares plus five B flares.

• Strongest flare: The strongest flare of the period was a C9.5, almost an M flare. Active region AR4435 in the sun’s northwest fired it off. It peaked at 16:14 UTC on May 15.
• Lead flare producer: Active region AR4435 topped the list as lead flare producer. It sparked seven flares over the past day: five C and two B flares, the largest of the period included.

Sunspot regions

Today the sun shows just three numbered active regions on its side we see from Earth. All three sunspot regions carry beta magnetic configurations. Chances for strong flares remain low.

Blasts from the sun?

Experts did not observe any coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery over the past 24 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds increased to high over the past day. That increase signals the approaching coronal hole high-speed stream. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) started strong late yesterday. But, at around 22 UTC on May 15, it started to decrease and ended at a weak level this morning.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component showed strong peaks in both south and north orientation. It kept shifting southward-northward throughout the past day. At the time of this writing, it shows a strong northward orientation. Southward Bz keeps Earth’s magnetic shield open and favors auroral activity.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field increased to active and storming levels (Kp 4–6). The planetary Kp index kept busy the whole period, starting at around 12 UTC on May 15 when it reached a G1 (minor) or Kp 5 geomagnetic storm level. Then it increased to G2 (moderate) or Kp 6 levels. In short, the Kp index kept at level 5 for three three-hour synoptic periods and reached Kp 6 levels for two three-hour synoptic periods. It was a busy day for Earth’s magnetic field, as anticipated! Currently, the Kp index continues at level 5, indicating a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm.

What’s ahead? Sun–Earth forecast

Flare activity forecast

Forecasters continue to anticipate low levels of flare activity in the coming days. Chances for M-class (moderate) flares hold at 40%. Meanwhile, chances for an isolated X-class (strong) flare stay at 5%.  Three remaining numbered sunspot regions on the sun’s disk appear either stable or in decay.

Geomagnetic activity forecast

• May 16 (Saturday): Active-to-storming conditions may continue during the day today. Fast solar wind from the large coronal hole – combined with a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) – should drive the activity. More G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm levels are anticipated, with chances for a G2 (moderate) storming disturbance. All this is happening as the trans-equatorial coronal hole stream keeps providing enhancements. There are good chances for aurora watchers at high latitudes to capture beautiful auroral displays!
• May 17 (Sunday): G1 (minor) geomagnetic storming might continue through the day as the high-speed stream persists. Auroral displays might continue through the weekend. Aurora-chasers, stay alert. Clear skies!
• May 18 (Monday): We expect unsettled-to-active conditions, as lingering effects of the high-speed solar wind start to decrease.

Sun news May 15: Waiting on the solar wind

Today’s top story: We’re waiting for Earth’s reaction to the solar wind. Will it bring us a geomagnetic storm and auroras? Solar wind speeds climbed to moderate-high levels over the past day. The interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) also strengthened to strong levels. Forecasters expect G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions later today. And G1 (minor) storming might continue through Saturday and Sunday as lingering effects of the high-speed solar wind persist. Aurora watchers, this is your weekend! Displays are possible (likely?) at high latitudes. Get your cameras ready! And please share your aurora photos with EarthSky.

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 14 – 11 UTC May 15)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity continued at low levels. But flare production increased notably. In total, the sun fired 18 flares: 14 C-class (common) and 4 B-class (weak). That’s up from 13 flares during the previous day.

• Strongest flare: C5.1 from AR4436 in the sun’s northeast, peaking at 18:40 UTC on May 14.
• Lead flare producer: There was a tie at the top again today. AR4438 and AR4435 produced six flares each. In addition, AR4432 contributed three flares from behind the solar horizon. It was still firing even after rotating out of view.

Sunspot regions

Currently, the Earth-facing side of our sun shows just three numbered active regions. All three sunspot regions carry beta magnetic configurations. So the risk of strong flares remains low.

Blasts from the sun?

Available coronagraph imagery showed no significant Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over the past 24 hours. We did see two filament eruptions, throwing billions of tons of sun-stuff into space. See the images below. This sun-stuff isn’t headed our way.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds initially decreased to moderate-low levels, early in the past day. But, starting around 20 UTC on May 14, they started climbing and climbed to moderate-high levels. That increase signals the approaching coronal hole high-speed stream. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) started weakly. Then, around 22 UTC on May 14, it jumped to strong levels.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component pointed mostly northward through the period. Only a couple of weak southward peaks occurred. At the time of this writing, it shows a strong northward orientation. As always, a northward Bz keeps Earth’s magnetic shield closed and limits auroral activity. However, that could change quickly as the coronal hole stream fully arrives.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field held at very quiet to unsettled levels (Kp 0–3). Currently, the Kp index sits just below level 3. But that’s about to change as the coronal hole high-speed stream ramps up.

Sun news May 14: Auroras on the way this weekend?

Auroras are possible from tomorrow through the weekend! That’s because a large coronal hole – an area of lower density in the sun’s outer atmosphere – is now facing straight at Earth. And this is no ordinary coronal hole. It stretches from the sun’s northern to southern hemisphere, crossing the solar equator. That makes it a transequatorial coronal hole, one of the more potent drivers of geomagnetic activity at Earth. The fast solar wind streaming out of it should start hitting our planet’s magnetic field tomorrow. Experts are now forecasting G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms, which could bring auroras to high latitudes. Don’t forget to share your aurora photos with us!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 13 – 11 UTC May 14)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity held at low levels. The sun produced only C-class (common) flares. In total, it fired 13 C-class flares.

• Strongest flare: C5.5 from AR4435 in the northwest, peaking at 6:42 UTC on May 14.
• Lead flare producer: A tie at the top once again! AR4432, now lost over the northwest horizon, is still flaring from behind the limb. It fired 6 C-class flares, as did AR4435.

Sunspot regions

Currently, the Earth-facing side of our sun shows 4 numbered active regions. Two newcomers received official numbers during the period: AR4437, which rapidly decayed to plage, and AR4438 in the northwest. All sunspot regions carry either beta or alpha configurations. As a result, the risk of strong flares stays low.

Blasts from the sun?

Available coronagraph imagery showed no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) over the past 24 hours.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds slightly increased to moderate-high levels starting around 12 UTC on May 13. However, they dropped back to moderate levels by the end of the period. Meanwhile, the total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component kept shifting between north and south through the period. However, at 3 UTC this morning, it turned northward. It has stayed there through the time of this writing. As always, a northward Bz keeps Earth’s magnetic shield closed and limits auroral activity.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels (Kp 1–3). Currently, the Kp index sits just below level 2.

Sun news May 13: A huge coronal hole is now facing Earth

A large coronal hole – an area of lower density in the sun’s outer atmosphere – is now facing straight at Earth. The fast solar wind streaming from this hole should start reaching us on Friday, likely triggering G1 (minor) or even G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms. And that means possible auroras at high latitudes!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 12 – 11 UTC May 13)

Flare activity

Solar activity continued at low levels over the past day with the production of only C-class (common) and B-class (weak) flares. An increase in flare production was noted, though, with the sun firing 14 flares: 10 C-class and 4 B-class.

As sunspot region AR4432 departs it keeps producing gorgeous jets. An incoming active region on the northeast responded with its own powerful jets. Take a look at the imagery below.

• Strongest flare: C2.3 from AR4436 in the northeast, peaking at 6:40 UTC on May 13.
• Lead flare producer: Once again AR4432 is at the top of the list. It blasted out 9 flares: 5 Cs plus all 4 B-class flares of the period.

Sunspot regions

Currently the Earth-facing side of our star shows 4 numbered active regions. AR4432 keeps its beta-gamma configuration and it is now at the very edge of the solar northwest horizon, prompt to depart to the far side. AR4436 shows a beta magnetic configuration, and is now the largest sunspot region on the solar face we see from Earth. The rest of the sunspot regions show either a beta or alpha configuration.

Blasts from the sun?

We observed no coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in available coronagraph imagery during the past day. But forecasters still await the coronal mass ejection (CME) produced during the M5.8 event from AR4436 on May 10. It may provide a glancing blow late today. Conditions for a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm are not ruled out.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low-to-moderate levels during the period. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) increased to strong levels.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component kept shifting between north and south orientations throughout the past day, ending south at the time of this writing.

Earth’s magnetic field

Earth’s magnetic field remained at very quiet levels (Kp 0–1). At the time of this writing, Earth’s magnetic field sits slightly above level 1 on the Kp index scale.

Sun news May 12: A pair of fiery simultaneous eruptions

The sun treated us to a pair of gorgeous, fiery eruptions over the northwest and southeast horizons around 17 UTC yesterday evening. These beautifully synchronized blasts sent chunks of sun-stuff into space, but neither are heading Earthward. However, we’re still awaiting a possible impact of sun-stuff fired out in Sunday’s M5.8 (moderate) flare. This might reach our magnetic field late today or tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 11 – 11 UTC May 12)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity returned to low levels with the production of only C-class (common) and B-class (weak) flares. In total, the sun fired 9 flares: 6 C-class and 3 B-class.

• Strongest flare: C1.9 from AR4432, peaking at 14:15 UTC on May 11.
• Lead flare producer: AR4432 blasted out all 9 flares of the period.

Sunspot regions

Today the Earth-facing side of our sun is populated with 4 numbered active regions. AR4432 keeps its beta-gamma configuration and AR4436 lost the gamma complexity shown yesterday.

Blasts from the sun?

At around 4:16 UTC on May 11, a filament in the south hemisphere erupted, hurling a blob of solar stuff into space. The event is under modeling and analysis to determine if a component of this coronal mass ejection (CME) is coming our way at Earth. The coronal mass ejection (CME) produced during the M5.8 event from AR4436 on May 10, may provide a possible glancing blow late today or tomorrow. This might trigger a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm … or it might deliver only a weak disturbance or miss entirely!

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind speeds averaged moderate-low levels during this period. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component shifted between north and south orientations throughout the past day.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field remained at quiet levels (Kp 1–2). At the time of this writing, Earth’s magnetic field sits at level 1 on the Kp index scale.

Sun news May 11: M5 flare erupts, sun-stuff may glance Earth

The sun just fired its strongest flare in days! The M5.8 (moderate) flare erupted from sunspot region AR4436 in the northeast around 13 UTC yesterday. The blast sent a fast chunk of sun-stuff – a coronal mass ejection (CME) – racing into space. Scientists have detected a fast, powerful pressure wave racing ahead of this CME. The bulk of the ejecta is heading away from Earth, but our planet could receive a glancing blow early on May 13. If so, this could trigger G1 (minor) auroras. Stay tuned, aurora hunters!

Past 24 hours of sun news

(11 UTC May 10 – 11 UTC May 11)

Flare activity

Over the past day, solar activity reached high levels. In total, the sun fired 10 flares: 1 M-class, 8 C-class (common) and 1 B-class (weak).

• Strongest flare: M5.8 from AR4436, peaking at 13:19 UTC on May 10. It triggered an R2 (moderate) radio blackout, disrupting high frequency communications across eastern Africa.
• Lead flare producer: AR4432 generated the vast majority of the remaining activity. It fired 8 C-class flares and 1 B-class event.

Sunspot regions

The Earth-facing solar disk showed 5 numbered active regions.

Blasts from the sun?

A significant partial halo CME accompanied the M5.8 flare from AR4436. It first appeared at 13:48 UTC on May 10, erupting off the east limb in the SOHO spacecraft’s LASCO C2 imagery. The bulk of the ejecta was aimed well east of Earth. However, initial WSA-ENLIL modeling points to a possible glancing blow arriving at Earth early UTC on May 13. If the Earth-directed component is confirmed, Kp could reach 5, indicating G1 (minor) storm potential. However, significant uncertainty remains. The CME may deliver only a weak disturbance or miss entirely.

Past 24 hours in space weather

Solar wind

Solar wind conditions reflected the waning influence of a positive-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream. Speeds declined from slightly elevated to normal by its end. The total interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) stayed weak.

Bz and magnetic coupling

The Bz component remained near neutral and variable. The slight swings from north to south were too weak to drive any significant geomagnetic response. Consequently, Earth’s magnetic shield stayed firmly closed.

Earth’s magnetic field

Over the past day, Earth’s magnetic field stayed quiet (Kp 0–2). No geomagnetic storm conditions occurred. The weak and variable IMF kept conditions calm throughout. No sustained southward Bz developed.

The sun in recent days

Earlier sun images

Sun images from our community

More sun images from our community

We sometimes feature sun images obtained using hydrogen-alpha filters. Read why.

Bottom line: Sun news for May 16, 2026. The expected G2 geomagnetic storm arrived as solar winds increased to high levels. Storming might continue this weekend.

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