A strong X1.3 solar flare caused a significant R3 (Strong) radio blackout across large portions of Earth's sunlit side on July 4, 2026. The event, which began at 20:29 UTC and peaked at 20:41 UTC, resulted in a wide-area disruption of high-frequency (HF) radio communications for approximately one hour.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the X-ray event, noting its potential to impact the sub-solar point most strongly. Such solar flares can disrupt satellite operations and power grids, though the primary immediate impact was on radio communications.