Very strong geomagnetic storms to hit Earth: what is known about the solar flare
Tengrinews.kz – Scientists are predicting very strong geomagnetic storms on Earth due to a powerful solar flare.
What happened
On the evening of 18 January, the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAN) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics reported the first X-class flare of 2026 on the Sun. The event occurred in the centre of the visible solar disk facing Earth. The flare was classified as X1.95.
Background: Flares are divided into five classes according to the power of their X-ray emission: A, B, C, M and X. They can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth, which lead to disruptions in power systems and affect the migration routes of birds and animals. Strong storms cause disruptions to shortwave communications and navigation systems, as well as voltage fluctuations in industrial power grids.
It is specified that the explosion on the Sun was “quite large” and involved the entire central region of the star — “about half a million kilometres.”
Scientists also published a more complete video of the X-flare that occurred on the Sun. According to the description, the horizontal size in the image is 450,000 kilometres, “35 times larger than the diameter of the Earth.”
When to expect the peak of the storm
Very strong geomagnetic storms on Earth are preliminarily expected on 20 January.
“Preliminarily, it will reach Earth on Tuesday. The expected level of geomagnetic storms is G3/G4. The lower boundary of the auroral zone will shift down to 50 degrees latitude,” the statement says.
According to the scale, G3 is a strong storm and G4 is a very strong storm.
Why geomagnetic storms are dangerous
Risk of heart attack and stroke
In a recent study, scientists Oleg and Daria Gaisenok and Sergey Bogachev noted that geomagnetic storms increase the risks of heart attack, acute coronary syndrome and stroke. The researchers explain this by the direct influence of magnetic disturbances on important indicators of our body. Storms disrupt natural biorhythms, alter heart rate, provoke spikes in blood pressure and impair blood circulation in small vessels.
Headaches
On days of strong solar activity, as noted in a study by David Hyde and Ben Davidson, people more often complain of fatigue, headaches and general apathy. According to specialists, this is linked to the effect of storms on the autonomic nervous system and vascular regulation, which directly affects brain function.
How to protect yourself
Monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.
Try to avoid stressful loads during periods of strong geomagnetic storms.
Rest more and spend time in a calm environment.
Do not neglect preventive medications if prescribed by your doctor.
What happened
On the evening of 18 January, the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAN) and the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics reported the first X-class flare of 2026 on the Sun. The event occurred in the centre of the visible solar disk facing Earth. The flare was classified as X1.95.
Background: Flares are divided into five classes according to the power of their X-ray emission: A, B, C, M and X. They can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth, which lead to disruptions in power systems and affect the migration routes of birds and animals. Strong storms cause disruptions to shortwave communications and navigation systems, as well as voltage fluctuations in industrial power grids.
It is specified that the explosion on the Sun was “quite large” and involved the entire central region of the star — “about half a million kilometres.”
Scientists also published a more complete video of the X-flare that occurred on the Sun. According to the description, the horizontal size in the image is 450,000 kilometres, “35 times larger than the diameter of the Earth.”
When to expect the peak of the storm
Very strong geomagnetic storms on Earth are preliminarily expected on 20 January.
“Preliminarily, it will reach Earth on Tuesday. The expected level of geomagnetic storms is G3/G4. The lower boundary of the auroral zone will shift down to 50 degrees latitude,” the statement says.
According to the scale, G3 is a strong storm and G4 is a very strong storm.
Why geomagnetic storms are dangerous
Risk of heart attack and stroke
In a recent study, scientists Oleg and Daria Gaisenok and Sergey Bogachev noted that geomagnetic storms increase the risks of heart attack, acute coronary syndrome and stroke. The researchers explain this by the direct influence of magnetic disturbances on important indicators of our body. Storms disrupt natural biorhythms, alter heart rate, provoke spikes in blood pressure and impair blood circulation in small vessels.
Headaches
On days of strong solar activity, as noted in a study by David Hyde and Ben Davidson, people more often complain of fatigue, headaches and general apathy. According to specialists, this is linked to the effect of storms on the autonomic nervous system and vascular regulation, which directly affects brain function.
How to protect yourself
Monitor your blood pressure and heart rate, especially if you have cardiovascular disease.
Try to avoid stressful loads during periods of strong geomagnetic storms.
Rest more and spend time in a calm environment.
Do not neglect preventive medications if prescribed by your doctor.