A long-duration X1.9 solar flare erupted from Active Region 4341 at 18:09 UTC on January 18, 2026. The event began at 17:27 and ended at 18:51 UTC. Coronagraph imagery indicates that a full halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced during the eruption. Given the location of the source region on the solar disk, the CME is considered likely to be at least partially Earth-directed, pending further analysis of its speed and magnetic structure.
A Type II Radio Emission with an estimated velocity of 693 km/s was associated with the event, suggesting a coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced. A Type IV Radio Emission was registered at 18:13 UTC, indicating a strong CME was produced.
Additionally, a 10cm Radio Burst lasting 122 minutes and with a peak flux of 3200 sfu was registered from 17:39 to 19:44 UTC. A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background.
This can indicate significant radio noise associated with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers, including radar, GPS, and satellite communications.
Radio frequencies were forecast to be most degraded over the Pacific Ocean and parts of the Americas.
Region 4341 is in a location that favors Earth-directed CMEs. While a detailed analysis of this event is still in progress, it appears we have a strong CME on the way. Given the long duration of this event, the energy released might produce a strong geomagnetic storm around January 20/21.
The region has a ‘beta-gamma’ magnetic configuration and is capable of producing more strong to major eruptions on the Sun, making Earth-directed solar flares a real possibility through the coming week.
