A geomagnetic storm originating on Earth has escalated to a G4.7 level and is heading towards the maximum G5 rating, according to news from the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“The magnetic storm has intensified, reaching G4.7. Should the solar wind properties remain unchanged, achieving the top G5 level is expected within the next one to two hours,” the statement indicated.
The first X-class solar flare of 2026 was registered on the evening of January 18th. This event included a plasma ejection directed towards Earth, which is anticipated to trigger magnetic storms reaching intensities up to G4.
Solar flares are categorized into five classes based on their X-ray radiation intensity: A, B, C, M, and X. The least powerful level, A0.0, corresponds to radiation measuring 10 nanowatts per square meter at Earth’s orbit. With each subsequent letter, the power increases tenfold. These flares possess the potential to unleash plasma ejections that, upon reaching our planet, are capable of causing geomagnetic disturbances.
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