The Sun is Acting up, and Geomagnetic Storms are on the Way

By Margie Kay

On November 11, 2025, the Sun produced its most powerful solar flare of the year, an X5.1-class eruption originating from sunspot AR4274, which resulted in considerable radio disruptions throughout Africa and Europe.

Overview of Recent Solar Activity

X5.1-Class Solar Flare: The solar flare reached its peak intensity at 5 a.m. EST on November 11, 2025, marking it as the most vigorous flare since October 2024. This intense eruption led to significant R3-level radio blackouts, interfering with high-frequency communications on the sunlit portion of Earth.

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): The X5.1 flare was part of a sequence of eruptions from sunspot AR4274, which had also emitted an X1.7 flare on November 9 and an X1.2 flare on November 10. These events were accompanied by CMEs that are projected to affect Earth, potentially resulting in geomagnetic storm conditions ranging from strong (G3) to severe (G4).

Impact on Earth

Recent solar activity has raised concerns about its potential impact on technology, including possible disruptions to satellite communications, GPS, and electrical power grids. The fast-moving CMEs, traveling at roughly 1,856 kilometers per second, are expected to arrive at Earth around midday on November 12, 2025.

AI image of the Sun

The recent solar flares underscore the increasing activity of the Sun during Solar Cycle 25, with sunspot AR4274 proving to be a significant contributor to solar eruptions. The likelihood of geomagnetic storms poses threats to contemporary technological systems, highlighting the necessity for ongoing monitoring and readiness in response to solar events.

Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves, particularly concerning the anticipated geomagnetic storm conditions and their possible impacts on Earth.