Aurora alert! Sun fires off 2 colossal X flares as multiple CMEs race toward Earth

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Geomagnetic storm conditions are possible Nov. 10 through Nov. 12.

two panel image, on the left is a recent cme eruption from the sun that happened this morning nov. 10, on the right is a sweeping green aurora in a spiral pattern in the sky. the recent eruption could spark impressive auroras in the coming days.
Geomagnetic storm conditions and impressive auroras are possible Nov. 10 through Nov. 12. (Image credit: Left: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Right: Daisy Dobrijevic)

Solar activity has kicked into high gear already this week with two powerful X-class solar flares erupting from active region AR4274 — one on Nov. 9 and another early Nov. 10 — each potentially firing coronal mass ejections (CMEs) toward Earth.

Coronal mass ejection released during the X flare eruption on Nov. 10, 2025. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)

Together, the events have prompted NOAA to issue a G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm watch for Nov. 10 and a G2 (moderate) watch for Nov. 11-12. These levels can impact satellites and power systems and can help boost auroras across northern U.S. states from New York to Idaho, as well as parts of northern Europe.

But that's not all! Space weather forecasters and aurora chasers are keeping a close watch on the aftermath of a second X-flare from the same region just this morning (Nov. 10), which unleashed another CME toward Earth. The flare measured as an X1.2 eruption, peaking around 4:20 a.m. EST (0920 GMT).

What's next?

NOAA's geomagnetic storm watch for Nov. 10-12. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)

At least two CMEs are en route to Earth, one from Nov. 7, which could brush past today, and another from the Nov. 9 X1.7 flare, expected to arrive around Nov. 11-12.

A third, potentially larger CME linked to this morning's Nov. 10 X1.2 flare is now under analysis. Space weather forecasters are reviewing new coronograph imagery from NASA's SOHO and STEREO spacecraft to determine its speed and trajectory. As such, forecasts and geomagnetic storm alerts may be updated accordingly.

Early modelling suggests the CME will impact Earth on Nov. 12.

What's an X-flare?

X1.2 solar flare eruption on Nov. 10, 2025. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)

A solar flare is a sudden, intense burst of energy from the sun caused by the sudden release of magnetic energy in an active sunspot region. These outbursts send radiation and charged particles hurling into space and can disrupt communications on Earth if the flare erupts from an Earth-facing sunspot.

X-class solar flares are the most powerful category of flares. The number that follows the X indicates its strength, with each step representing a coupling in power, meaning an X2 flare is twice as strong as an X1.

Daisy Dobrijevic
Daisy Dobrijevic
Reference Editor

Daisy Dobrijevic joined Space.com in February 2022 having previously worked for our sister publication All About Space magazine as a staff writer. Before joining us, Daisy completed an editorial internship with the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and worked at the National Space Centre in Leicester, U.K., where she enjoyed communicating space science to the public. In 2021, Daisy completed a PhD in plant physiology and also holds a Master's in Environmental Science, she is currently based in Nottingham, U.K. Daisy is passionate about all things space, with a penchant for solar activity and space weather. She has a strong interest in astrotourism and loves nothing more than a good northern lights chase!

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