Sun unleashes 2025's most powerful solar flare, causing widespread radio blackouts

Sun erupts with powerful solar flare, disrupting global radio signals (Image: NASA)

It was a quiet dawn until the sun made its voice heard. As early risers began their Tuesday, the sky above flared with activity. At 4:25 a.m. EDT (0825 GMT) on May 14, the Sun released a powerful X-class solar flare, catching scientists and radio operators by surprise.

The eruption came from a new and active sunspot region, labelled AR4087, which has just started turning towards Earth. The burst caused strong R3-level radio blackouts across much of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — all on the sunlit side of the planet when the flare struck.

According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre, this kind of solar activity is rare. Solar flares are classified in five main groups — A, B, C, M and X — with X being the strongest. This latest event measured X2.7, placing it at the lower end of the highest category. Still, the flare carried enough power to send X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation rushing to Earth at light speed, disturbing the upper atmosphere and affecting high-frequency radio signals used for communication.

While the full impact of the flare is still being assessed, experts say there may also have been a coronal mass ejection, or CME — a large release of solar plasma and magnetic energy that often follows strong flares. If confirmed, it could eventually lead to geomagnetic storms and colourful auroras, but only if the ejection hits Earth directly. For now, AR4087’s position near the edge of the Sun means our planet is out of its firing line.

Vincent Ledvina, a well-known aurora chaser, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the region appears to be heating up quickly. “This is getting intense,” he wrote, adding that the same sunspot also released an M5.3 flare only a few hours earlier. “What does this AR have planned over the next days … we’ll have to wait and see.”

WOW, happening now: an X2.7 flare from AR 4087 rotating in. This is getting intense, especially as this active region turns closer into view. This same AR just produced an M5.3 flare a few hours ago.What does this AR have planned over the next days well have to wait and see. pic.twitter.com/GAgJWi3bJV
Vincent Ledvina (@Vincent_Ledvina) May 14, 2025

Just hours after the X2.7 flare, the same sunspot produced another major flare — an M7.74 event — which peaked at 7:18 a.m. EDT (1118 GMT). Scientists say this continued activity could have more consequences once the sunspot region fully rotates to face Earth next week.

The Sun seems to have shaken off a quiet spell. Only yesterday, sunspot AR4086 — now drifting out of view — fired the first X-class flare since March, registering at X1.2. Now, with multiple regions active, scientists are watching closely for further solar outbursts.

The coming days could bring brighter auroras and further disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field. For those tracking solar weather, it’s a moment to stay alert.