SkyTracko

Historical solar storms

Notable X-class flares, severe geomagnetic events, and radio blackouts from the modern observation era. 19 events on record.

2020s

2020s

4 notable events

  1. Solar flareX7.11 October 2024

    X7.1 flare — Solar Cycle 25 continues intensifying

    Another major flare as Solar Cycle 25 approaches its maximum. R3 radio blackout on the daylit hemisphere.

    Level
    4/5
  2. Solar flareX8.714 May 2024

    X8.7 flare — largest of Solar Cycle 25

    From the same active region AR3664 that caused the May superstorm. Strongest flare in the current solar cycle.

    Level
    5/5
  3. Geomagnetic stormG510 May 2024

    May 2024 Superstorm — G5 extreme

    Strongest geomagnetic storm since 2003. Kp=9 for multiple periods. Aurora photographed from Mexico, India, and the Caribbean. Multiple X-class flares from region AR3664.

    Level
    5/5
  4. Geomagnetic stormG13 February 2022

    Geomagnetic storm destroys 40 Starlink satellites

    A minor G1 storm increased thermospheric density enough to drag down 40 newly-launched Starlink satellites that hadn't yet raised their orbits. Cost: ~$50 million.

    Level
    1/5
2010s

2010s

6 notable events

  1. Solar flareX9.36 September 2017

    X9.3 flare — strongest in 12 years

    Most powerful flare of Solar Cycle 24. Caused R3 radio blackout and was followed by a CME that produced a G4 storm on September 8.

    Level
    5/5
  2. Geomagnetic stormG417 March 2015

    St. Patrick's Day Storm — G4 severe

    Strongest geomagnetic storm of Solar Cycle 24. Kp=8. Aurora visible across much of the United States and Europe.

    Level
    4/5
  3. Solar flareX4.925 February 2014

    X4.9 flare — strongest of Solar Cycle 24

    Erupted from region 1990. R3 strong radio blackout. The CME was not Earth-directed.

    Level
    4/5
  4. Geomagnetic stormG523 July 2012

    Carrington-class CME misses Earth

    A massive CME rivalling the 1859 Carrington Event erupted from the Sun but passed through Earth's orbit one week after Earth had moved on. A direct hit would have caused trillions in damage.

    Level
    5/5
  5. Solar flareX5.47 March 2012

    X5.4 flare + Earth-directed CME

    Paired with an X1.3 flare hours later. The CME arrived March 8, causing a G3 strong storm with aurora visible across northern Europe.

    Level
    4/5
  6. Solar flareX2.215 February 2011

    First X-class flare of Solar Cycle 24

    Ended a 4-year drought of X-class activity. The associated CME caused a moderate G1 storm and HF radio fadeout.

    Level
    3/5
2000s

2000s

7 notable events

  1. Radio blackoutR45 December 2006

    X9.0 flare — R4 severe radio blackout

    Strongest flare of Solar Cycle 23's declining phase. Caused severe HF radio blackout across the sunlit Pacific.

    Level
    4/5
  2. Solar flareX7.120 January 2005

    Fastest solar proton storm in decades

    X7.1 flare produced the most intense proton storm since 1989. Radiation dose on polar airline routes exceeded annual limits in hours.

    Level
    4/5
  3. Solar flareX28+4 November 2003

    Largest solar flare ever recorded — X28+

    So powerful it saturated GOES X-ray sensors. Estimated at X45. Fortunately directed mostly away from Earth, but still caused significant radio disruption.

    Level
    5/5
  4. Geomagnetic stormG529 October 2003

    Halloween Storm — G5 extreme geomagnetic

    Kp reached 9. Power grid issues in Sweden, satellite anomalies worldwide, GPS errors of tens of metres. Aurora seen from Florida and the Mediterranean.

    Level
    5/5
  5. Solar flareX17.228 October 2003

    Halloween Solar Storm — X17.2 flare

    One of the most powerful solar flares ever recorded. Part of a series of eruptions that caused widespread radio blackouts, satellite damage, and aurora visible from Texas. Airlines rerouted polar flights.

    Level
    5/5
  6. Solar flareX202 April 2001

    X20 solar flare — strongest of Solar Cycle 23

    Massive flare from active region 9393. Caused R5 extreme radio blackout on the sunlit hemisphere.

    Level
    5/5
  7. Geomagnetic stormG514 July 2000

    Bastille Day Storm — G5 extreme

    X5.7 flare + fast CME. Kp=9, aurora visible from Texas. Caused the loss of the ASCA X-ray satellite.

    Level
    5/5
1990s

1990s

2 notable events

  1. Geomagnetic stormG42 May 1998

    May 1998 storm — Galaxy IV satellite failure

    G4 severe storm. The Galaxy IV communications satellite failed, disrupting pager service across the United States for days.

    Level
    4/5
  2. Geomagnetic stormG36 November 1997

    November 1997 storm — early Solar Cycle 23

    G3 strong storm from a halo CME. Caused the failure of the Telstar 401 communications satellite.

    Level
    3/5