Contrary to predictions based on expectations of a declining solar cycle, the summer of 2026 was more active than last year. From June 1 to August 31, 82 strong flares of M-level and higher were recorded on the star, including three X-level flares. During the same period in 2025, there were 62 strong flares. The number of X-level flares was also lower: two versus three.
Geomagnetic activity, despite the widespread belief that it strictly correlates with the number of solar flares, showed the opposite trend. The number of days with magnetic storms in the summer of 2026 decreased by half: nine versus 18 the previous year. The strongest storm of the current summer was a Kp=7.3 storm on July 4 (the highest Kp=9.0). A year ago, the strongest storm on June 1, 2025, reached Kp=8.0.
The Sun is entering autumn in a relatively calm state, with almost no solar flares. How long will this calm last throughout the three autumn months? In 2025, the strongest solar flares of the year occurred in autumn, on November 11 and 14.