A severe solar storm is expected to strike Earth this week, with NASA warning that flares from the Sun’s most active region could cause temporary blackouts and GPS signal issues across parts of the globe. This development follows the most powerful solar eruption of the year — an X2.7-class flare — recorded by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
The flare, which erupted from a newly emerged sunspot, has already caused high-frequency radio blackouts over parts of the Middle East, lasting around 10 minutes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the intense radiation interfered with Earth’s ionosphere, disrupting communications on the sunlit side of the planet.
NASA confirmed that ongoing flares from this region could continue to impact “radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.”
What makes solar flares dangerous?
Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation released when magnetic energy builds up in the Sun’s atmosphere and suddenly explodes. They are often linked to sunspot regions and vary in strength. The recent X2.7-class flare is at the highest end of the solar flare scale.
When a flare of this magnitude erupts, it can affect Earth's ionosphere almost immediately. This creates disturbances in radio signals, disrupts aircraft communication, interferes with satellite navigation, and poses hazards to astronauts in space.
NOAA reported that the most recent flare had a direct and short-lived impact on radio frequencies in the Middle East — a clear sign of the power such events can carry.
The Sun’s peak activity — and what it means
The flare comes as the Sun enters the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, known as solar maximum. During this period, the Sun’s magnetic poles flip, causing a dramatic rise in sunspot numbers and solar storms.
According to NASA and other space weather agencies, this natural phase is marked by heightened energy levels and frequent flare activity. It is also when Earth is most at risk from space weather disruptions.
The UK Met Office explained, “There are currently up to five sunspot regions on the facing side of the Sun, with a new, apparently magnetically unipolar region rotating into view over the southeastern solar horizon.” This increased activity means the Earth may face further flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the days ahead.
Dazzling auroras may follow disruption
While solar flares pose a threat to infrastructure, they also lead to natural beauty. Charged particles from the Sun can interact with Earth's magnetic field, resulting in vibrant auroras — commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights.
The UK Met Office forecasts that auroras may be visible across parts of the UK and Ireland around 22 May, depending on how the solar activity develops. Such displays, while stunning, are indicators of underlying geomagnetic disturbances.
Vincent Ledvina, a space photographer tracking the Sun’s activity, posted, “This is getting intense. Especially as this active region turns closer into view.”
Space weather still under assessment
Despite the current excitement, experts are cautious. The Met Office’s update from 19 May classified recent solar activity as “moderate with one brief moderate class flare observed from the northeast limb.”
“No clear Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) have been observed in available imagery,” the agency added. However, a “slow but large and complex eruption off the north disc” was visible and is still being evaluated for potential impact.
Though the Northern Lights are not yet visible from much of the UK, this may change as the Sun's most volatile areas rotate fully into view.
How to stay prepared
For the general public, disruptions are expected to be minimal. But industries reliant on aviation, satellite navigation, or maritime operations have been advised to stay alert. NASA and NOAA will continue monitoring the situation closely.
The public may also want to keep an eye out for aurora alerts and solar weather updates, as they could be in for a rare night-time spectacle.
In the meantime, the Sun’s intense behaviour serves as a reminder that Earth, though distant, is still deeply affected by its fiery neighbour.
The flare, which erupted from a newly emerged sunspot, has already caused high-frequency radio blackouts over parts of the Middle East, lasting around 10 minutes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the intense radiation interfered with Earth’s ionosphere, disrupting communications on the sunlit side of the planet.
NASA confirmed that ongoing flares from this region could continue to impact “radio communications, electric power grids, navigation signals, and pose risks to spacecraft and astronauts.”
What makes solar flares dangerous?
Solar flares are sudden bursts of radiation released when magnetic energy builds up in the Sun’s atmosphere and suddenly explodes. They are often linked to sunspot regions and vary in strength. The recent X2.7-class flare is at the highest end of the solar flare scale.
When a flare of this magnitude erupts, it can affect Earth's ionosphere almost immediately. This creates disturbances in radio signals, disrupts aircraft communication, interferes with satellite navigation, and poses hazards to astronauts in space.
NOAA reported that the most recent flare had a direct and short-lived impact on radio frequencies in the Middle East — a clear sign of the power such events can carry.
The Sun’s peak activity — and what it means
The flare comes as the Sun enters the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, known as solar maximum. During this period, the Sun’s magnetic poles flip, causing a dramatic rise in sunspot numbers and solar storms.
According to NASA and other space weather agencies, this natural phase is marked by heightened energy levels and frequent flare activity. It is also when Earth is most at risk from space weather disruptions.
The UK Met Office explained, “There are currently up to five sunspot regions on the facing side of the Sun, with a new, apparently magnetically unipolar region rotating into view over the southeastern solar horizon.” This increased activity means the Earth may face further flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the days ahead.
Dazzling auroras may follow disruption
While solar flares pose a threat to infrastructure, they also lead to natural beauty. Charged particles from the Sun can interact with Earth's magnetic field, resulting in vibrant auroras — commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights.
The UK Met Office forecasts that auroras may be visible across parts of the UK and Ireland around 22 May, depending on how the solar activity develops. Such displays, while stunning, are indicators of underlying geomagnetic disturbances.
Vincent Ledvina, a space photographer tracking the Sun’s activity, posted, “This is getting intense. Especially as this active region turns closer into view.”
Space weather still under assessment
Despite the current excitement, experts are cautious. The Met Office’s update from 19 May classified recent solar activity as “moderate with one brief moderate class flare observed from the northeast limb.”
“No clear Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) have been observed in available imagery,” the agency added. However, a “slow but large and complex eruption off the north disc” was visible and is still being evaluated for potential impact.
Though the Northern Lights are not yet visible from much of the UK, this may change as the Sun's most volatile areas rotate fully into view.
How to stay prepared
For the general public, disruptions are expected to be minimal. But industries reliant on aviation, satellite navigation, or maritime operations have been advised to stay alert. NASA and NOAA will continue monitoring the situation closely.
The public may also want to keep an eye out for aurora alerts and solar weather updates, as they could be in for a rare night-time spectacle.
In the meantime, the Sun’s intense behaviour serves as a reminder that Earth, though distant, is still deeply affected by its fiery neighbour.
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