A powerful magnetic storm, the second strongest in 2026, has begun on Earth, according to the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of IKI RAS and ISZF SB RAS. The geomagnetic event started around midnight on July 4, a day later than predicted.

Scientists explained that the Earth's field was under pressure from solar mass ejections for almost 24 hours. A decisive turning point occurred on the night of July 4, when the parameters of the solar wind sharply increased and the sign of the interplanetary magnetic field changed. This was enough to trigger a geomagnetic storm.

Initially, the storm was estimated at level G3. However, as the event developed, it intensified to G3.33, becoming the second strongest this year. It is surpassed only by a very large event on January 19–21 of level G4.67.

According to the laboratory, further strengthening is still possible. However, according to scientists' forecasts, by July 4–5, solar flares will practically cease to affect Earth – active regions on the Sun are gradually shifting and moving out of the line connecting the star with our planet.