Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Weather News /

    Solar maximum means more aurora

10:00
24 October 2024

Solar cycle 25
Solar maximum means more aurora

NASA and NOAA have officially announced that we're in the solar maximum of Solar Cycle 25!

It's no secret the Sun has been active lately with all the geomagnetic storms causing beautiful auroras to be seen far south across the northern hemisphere.

The Sun has an 11-year cycle going from little activity, peaking in the middle, then eventually waning again.

This solar maximum period is expected to last 2 to 3 years and we can expect the sun to unleash plenty of energy resulting in space weather, according to the Solar Cycle Prediction Panel.

Since last year, the Sun's activity has been growing and surpassing forecasts for more activity even a year early. This year alone, the solar flares have been some of the strongest in at most 20 years!

These flares are spewed from sunspots and come out as coronal mass ejections, eventually interacting with Earth's magnetic field if they are aimed toward us.

We're in for more geomagnetic storms during the solar maximum, but that's not the only thing that comes from Earth-facing solar flares.

Satellites, astronauts, radio and GPS communications can also be compromised when hit by these flares.

Aurora captured by you in Octoberread more
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Damp Thursday as rain moves through. Raincoat needed. . . Thursday 11 June 2026
Satellite weather map of the UK and Ireland on Thursday 11.06 showing a broad band of rain moving east-northeast across Britain, with a rain cloud icon, directional arrow, and temperatures around 11–15°C.
Thursday 11 June 2026

Raincoat needed

Damp Thursday as rain moves through
Colourful skies and video moments. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 7 June 2026
Split image showing a bright blue sky with scattered white altocumulus clouds above trees on the left, and a rainbow arching over a windy gray sea beneath dark storm clouds on the right.
Sunday 7 June 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and video moments
Final thunderstorms hanging around. Before Thursday downpour. . . Wednesday 10 June 2026
Split weather graphic showing thunderstorms and lightning activity across southeast England on the left, and a broad rain band moving east across Ireland and western UK on the right, with rain icon and a movement arrow east.
Wednesday 10 June 2026

Before Thursday downpour

Final thunderstorms hanging around
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mixed conditions on an unsettled week. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday 2 November 2025
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
A frozen start to the weekend. Icy conditions. . . Friday 13 February 2026
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList