The sun triggers the most powerful solar flare of 2025, causing radio blackouts across Africa and Europe

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GIF animation of the X5.1 solar flare — Look at the ripples of the coronal wave taking off during the X5.1 solar flare. | Photo credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

The sun erupted in spectacular fashion this morning (November 11), triggering a large solar flare of class X5.1, the strongest so far in 2025 and the most intense since October 2024.

The outbreak peaked at 5 a.m. EST (1000 GMT). Sunspot AR4274, which has been abuzz with activity over the past few days. The explosion triggered severe radio outages (R3 level) across Africa and Europe and disrupted high-frequency radio communications on the sunlit side Earth.

This outbreak is the latest in a series of intense outbreaks of AR4274, which also produced an X1.7 outbreak on November 9th and an X1.2 outbreak on November 10th. These outbreaks were accompanied by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that could combine and impact Earth overnight tonight, potentially triggering strong (G3). geomagnetic storm conditions and widespread aurorasaccordingly NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The CME, released today, could also be involved as it hurtles towards Earth at 7.2 million kilometers per hour. NOAA forecasts The CME could hit Earth around noon on November 12th. With this third CME coming along, it’s possible we could severe experience (G4) geomagnetic storm conditions.

GIF animation showing the CME lifting off from the Sun after the X5.1 solar flare. — Coronagraph images show the CME taking off quickly this morning (November 11th) | Photo credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

Solar flares are divided into five classes by strength: A, B, C, M and X, with each level representing a tenfold increase in energy output. X class Solar flares are the strongest type and the number after the X describes the intensity of the flare. At X5.1, this latest breakout is at the higher end of the scale.

The burst sent a wave of X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation toward Earth, ionizing the upper atmosphere and causing widespread radio signal degradation. Strong (R3) radio outages were recorded over Africa and Europe.

Graphic showing the severe radio outages in the sunlit part of the Earth at the time of the outbreak. The worst power outages are in Africa and some parts of Europe. — Radio outages associated with the X5.1 solar flare on November 11th. | Photo credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

This active region has become one of the most prolific producers of solar flares Solar cycle 25, representing a fiery climax to an already extraordinary week for solar activity.

The CME released this morning during solar flare X5.1 is expected to reach Earth on November 12th. According to NOAA, the CME could trigger severe (G4) geomagnetic storm conditions on November 12th.