M3.4 solar flare erupts from AR 4100, Earth-directed CMEs possible in coming days
A moderately strong solar flare measuring M3.4 erupted from Active Region 4100 at 06:13 UTC on May 30, 2025. The event started at 05:40 and ended at 06:19 UTC. A coronal mass ejection (CME) may have been produced during the event, and there is a possibility that part of it is directed toward Earth.
M3.4 solar flare from Active Region 4100 on May 30, 2025. Credit: NASA SDO/AIA 304, The Watchers
A Type II Radio Emission with an estimated velocity of 538 km/s was detected at 06:13 UTC. These emissions occur in association with eruptions on the Sun and typically indicate that a coronal mass ejection (CME) is associated with a flare event.
Due to the location of the source region, there is a possibility that a part of the CME will be Earth-directed. However, coronagraph imagery and further analysis are required to confirm whether a CME was produced and to determine its potential trajectory.
AR 4100 currently has a beta-gamma magnetic configuration, which supports the potential for additional strong solar flares. Given the region’s location and recent activity, Earth-directed CMEs are possible in the coming days.
Solar activity was at low levels in 24 hours to 00:30 UTC on May 30, with most flares being C-class. The largest flare in this period was a C7.0 at 03:01 UTC on May 29. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were observed.
There is a 50% chance for M-class flares and a slight chance (10%) for X-class flares from May 30 through June 1, 2025.
There are currently 7 numbered active regions on the Earth-side of the Sun.
AR 4092 (S13W66 – Beta)
AR 4096 (N06W35 – Alpha)
AR 4099 (S13E16 – Beta-Delta)
AR 4100 (N08E28 – Beta-Gamma)
AR 4101 (N03E12 – Beta)
AR 4102 (S22W26 – Alpha)
AR 4103 (S17W16 – Alpha)
Solar wind parameters were indicative of a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) ahead of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) starting late on May 28.
As a result, solar wind speeds increased from 375 to 790 km/s on May 29. The total field saw an increase to 25 nT at 00:07 UTC on May 29 before calming to around 7–15 nT after 01:40 UTC.
The geomagnetic field responded with G1 – Minor to G3 – Strong storm levels early on May 29.
Active to G2 -Moderate geomagnetic storm conditions are expected, with a chance for G3 – Strong levels on May 30 as coronal hole high speed stream conditions persist. Unsettled to G1 – Minor storm levels are likely through June 1.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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