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NOAA predicts moderate geomagnetic storms, auroras July 3-4

7/4/2026

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Summary

NOAA Forecasts Storms

NOAA forecasts moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms from July 3 to July 4, raising aurora odds in the northern U.S.
The storms follow a June 30 X1.1 flare and ten M-class flares, which Dr. Tamitha Skov called a “Machine-Gun Sun.”
CMEs from the June 30 and July 1 eruptions may arrive before 8 a.m. EDT July 3, producing three storms that could trigger auroras.

Summary

Solar Flare Blackouts

The flare caused R3-level radio blackouts and brief HF outages across parts of North America.
The UK Met Office warned of a possible G3 storm with a slight chance of Kp 7 if the CME intensifies.
SpaceWeather.com said three CMEs from July 1 could hit Earth by July 5, extending geomagnetic activity.
Experts suggest high-sensitivity phone cameras to capture faint green, pink and red auroras, noting the waning Strawberry Moon may lower contrast.

History

Historical Context

On 1 September 1859 English astronomers Richard Carrington and Richard Hodgson recorded a bright solar flare that produced a CME reaching Earth in 17.6 hours, sparking telegraph lines for over 2,000 operators at currents up to 1,000 amperes. Today NOAA space-weather forecasts and the UK Met Office’s alerts cite that Carrington storm to guide grid-hardening and satellite-shielding efforts.

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NOAA Forecasts Storms

NOAA forecasts moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms from July 3 to July 4, raising aurora odds in the northern U.S.
The storms follow a June 30 X1.1 flare and ten M-class flares, which Dr. Tamitha Skov called a “Machine-Gun Sun.”
CMEs from the June 30 and July 1 eruptions may arrive before 8 a.m. EDT July 3, producing three storms that could trigger auroras.

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