The solar erupted in spectacular trend this morning (Nov. 11), unleashing a serious X5.1-class photo voltaic flare, the strongest of 2025 to date and probably the most intense since October 2024.
This outburst is the latest in a series of intense flares from AR4274, which also produced an X1.7 flare on Nov. 9 and an X1.2 on Nov. 10. Those flares were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that could combine and impact Earth overnight tonight, possibly triggering strong (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions and widespread auroras, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The CME launched at present might additionally be part of the get together because it speeds towards Earth at 4.4 million mph. NOAA predicts the CME might impression Earth round noon on Nov. 12. With this third CME added to the combination, it is attainable that we might experience severe (G4) geomagnetic storm circumstances.
Solar flares are ranked by energy in 5 lessons, A, B, C, M and X, with every step representing a tenfold enhance in power output. X-class solar flares are the most powerful kind and the number following the X describes the flare’s intensity. At X5.1, this latest eruption sits toward the top of the scale.
The eruption sent a surge of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation toward Earth, ionizing the upper atmosphere and causing widespread radio signal degradation. Strong (R3) radio blackouts were recorded over Africa and Europe.
This active region has become one of the most prolific solar flare producers of Solar Cycle 25, marking a fiery peak in what’s already been an extraordinary week for solar activity.
The CME released this morning during the X5.1 solar flare is forecast to reach Earth on Nov. 12. According to NOAA, the CME could trigger severe (G4) geomagnetic storm conditions on Nov. 12.