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
Satellite weather map of the UK and western Europe showing rain bands across Britain, a rain cloud icon over Scotland, and a thunderstorm icon near Belgium and northern France on Wednesday 13.05.
Wednesday 13 May 2026

Hail also possible

Thunderstorm risk for parts of the UK
The night sky glows with vivid aurora colours, showing bright green bands near the horizon blending into purple and pink streaks higher up. Dark silhouettes of trees frame the bottom of the scene.
Wednesday 13 May 2026

To the north

Northern Lights could shine tonight
Split image showing a warm temperature map across the UK and western Europe on the left and a bright sun shining through scattered clouds in a blue sky on the right.
Friday 15 May 2026

Much warmer bank holiday

Heatwave? We're not quite there yet
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
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
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