OREANDA-NEWS  The increase in the number of magnetic storms on Earth is observed against the background of a decrease in total solar activity. This was reported by the specialists of the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the IKI RAS.

It is believed that solar activity peaked in 2024 and is currently moving towards a minimum expected in 2029-2030. The main cause of magnetic storms is a large number of coronal holes. They lead to disturbances in the solar wind, which acts on the Earth's magnetic field. At the moment, there are two medium-sized holes in the Sun, experts said.

Geomagnetic activity in 2026 is already exceeding the previous record year, experts said. Of the first 13 days of the year, geomagnetic disturbances were observed in 8, and since the beginning of the year there have already been 3 days with magnetic storms.

Earlier, the strongest solar flare since the beginning of 2026 was recorded.