Earth could be hit by the edge of a huge cloud of solar plasma after the strongest flare in the current surge of solar activity. The flare was assigned level M7.0 — it has not yet reached the maximum category X, but the activity of the star continues to intensify.
A powerful explosion occurred on the Sun with an obvious ejection of plasma into space. According to preliminary estimates, at least the edge of the resulting plasma cloud may be heading towards Earth. At the same time, it is not yet possible to completely rule out the possibility that the main part of the cloud will pass by the planet.
For now, the flares remain below the X threshold, which is considered the highest category. Therefore, the possible consequences for Earth, according to current estimates, should not be stronger than G3 — a strong magnetic storm of the third level on a five-point scale.
M7.0 flare from August 25, 2026 | Video by the press service of the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy, IKI RAS
If the plasma cloud does indeed hit Earth, such a storm could be the strongest in the last one or two months, but it is not yet worth predicting consequences beyond this level.
There are no precise mathematical models and calculations yet. Specialists are still collecting additional data, and a more accurate picture will emerge later.
The main question now is different: will the next solar explosion occur and will it be able to break the X threshold. If solar activity continues to grow, this could be the next important event.