A X7.1 (R3 Strong) solar flare erupted from NOAA/SWPC Active Region 3842 on October 1st, 2024 and has the potential for significant high frequency disruptions affecting earth. A CME is scheduled to reach Earth with a powerful geomagnetic response with the possibility of strong storm levels. Auroras may become visible in the northern US states or even lower. High-frequency radio blackouts on the sunlit side of Earth could be possible.
From the Space Weather Prediction Center
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
An X7.1 (R3 – Strong) solar flare erupted from NOAA/SWPC Active Region 3842 on October 1st, 2024. This was the second strongest flare thus far in Solar Cycle 25, only bested by an X8.7 flare on May 14th of this year. This latest flare was observed by the GOES-16 satellite X-ray sensor (XRS) and peaked at 6:20pm EDT (2220 UTC). The flare was impulsive in nature but was associated with some USAF solar radio observatory reports that may indicate a possible coronal mass ejection (CME) could be associated with the flare.
G1-G3 (Minor-Strong) Geomagnetic Storm Watches have been issued for 03-05 October, because of the forecast arrival of the CME associated with the X7.1 flare observed on 02 October.
