An impulsive X4.2 solar flare erupted from geoeffective Active Region 4366 at 12:13 UTC on February 4, 2026. The flare originated from a magnetically complex beta-gamma-delta region that produced dozens of M- and 5 other X-class flares since February 1. Its location near the central solar disk raises the possibility of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) this week.
A powerful Arctic blast is forecast to bring extreme cold and dangerous wind chills across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic from the weekend into the second week of February. Below-normal temperatures and record lows are expected in some areas, with the cold forecast to persist until February 11, 2026.
At least 30 people have died across Japan since January 20, 2026, due to record-breaking snow affecting much of the country, with Aomori seeing the heaviest accumulation in 40 years on February 1. The self-defense forces were deployed in Aomori City for the first time in 21 years due to the serious threat to life amid heavy snow.
A major X8.1 solar flare erupted from Active Region 4366 at 23:57 UTC on February 1, 2026, following rapid magnetic expansion and intense flaring throughout the day. The region also produced an X1.0 flare at 12:33 UTC on February 1 and an X2.8 event at 00:36 UTC and an X1.6 at 08:14 UTC on February 2, accompanied by more than 20 M-class flares since 02:00 UTC on February 1.
A major X1.0 solar flare erupted at 12:33 UTC on February 1, 2026, from Active Region 4366, following a sequence of strong M-class flares earlier in the day, including M6.6 and M6.7 flares within two hours. The event started at 11:52 and ended at 12:38 UTC. With the region now rotating toward the center of the solar disk and maintaining a complex beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration, conditions are favorable for Earth-directed CMEs in the days ahead.
A powerful nor’easter is forecast to impact the U.S. Southeast coast late on January 30, 2026, bringing heavy snow to the Carolinas and Virginia, with accumulations reaching up to 30 cm (12 inches), along with strong winds and coastal flooding persisting through February 2.
A surge of Arctic air will spread across the central and eastern United States from Friday, January 30, 2026, bringing the longest duration of cold in several decades to parts of the region. Forecast confidence has increased for a winter storm to develop along the East Coast over the weekend, with the highest likelihood of heavy snowfall across the Carolinas and southern Virginia, and gusty coastal winds extending into the Mid-Atlantic.
A powerful coastal storm is forecast to affect parts of the eastern United States over the coming weekend. The system is forecast to develop off the Southeast Coast on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and track northeastward through Sunday, February 1, bringing the potential for heavy snow, gusty winds, and hazardous travel conditions across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
Four atmospheric rivers (ARs) are forecast to impact the Pacific Northwest from Tuesday, January 28 through January 31, 2026, bringing several days of moderate to heavy precipitation, with rainfall totals reaching 125–250 mm (5–10 inches) over the Olympic Peninsula and 50–125 mm (2–5 inches) across the Willapa Hills, northern Oregon Coast Ranges, and Washington Cascades.
At least ten people were killed across Japan in late January 2026 as heavy snowfall and repeated cold waves affected wide areas of the country. Sapporo surpassed total accumulations of over 1 m (3.3 feet) for the first time since 2022 on Sunday, January 25, while accumulations at Hakkōda Mountains in Aomori reached around 4.5 m (14.8 feet) by Monday, January 26. More snow and strong winds are forecast along the Sea of Japan coast through this week as a cold air mass intensifies.
