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Strongest Solar Flare of 2025 Disrupts Global Radio Communications

The X2.7-class flare from sunspot AR4087 caused shortwave radio blackouts across five continents, with experts warning of potential future disruptions as the active region rotates toward Earth.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare — seen as the bright flash on the left – on May 14.
Image
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of a solar flare – seen as the bright flash on the far right – on May 13, 2025.

Overview

  • The X2.7-class solar flare erupted from sunspot AR4087 on May 14, 2025, marking the strongest flare of the year so far.
  • Shortwave radio blackouts were reported across North America, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East during the flare's peak.
  • The flare produced a coronal mass ejection (CME), but its trajectory is not expected to impact Earth.
  • Sunspot AR4087 is currently near the Sun’s eastern limb and is forecast to rotate into a more Earth-facing position in the coming days, increasing the risk of geoeffective solar activity.
  • Solar Cycle 25, currently at its peak, has seen over 50 X-class flares since December 2019, underscoring the importance of space weather forecasting for mitigating potential disruptions.