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List of solar storms

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of solar storms

Solar storms of different types are caused by disturbances on the Sun, most often from coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares from active regions, or, less often, from coronal holes. Minor to active solar storms (i ., storming restricted to higher latitudes) may occur under elevated background solar wind conditions when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation is southward, toward the Earth (which also leads to much stronger storming conditions from CME-related sources).

Tables

· Coronal mass ejections and solar particle events › Events affecting Earth › Direct measurements and/or visual observations
Mar 1582
Mar 1582
Date
Mar 1582
Event
Great magnetic storms of March 1582
Significance
Prolonged severe-extreme geomagnetic storm produced aurora to 28 ° magnetic latitude (MLAT) and ≈33 ° invariant latitude (ILAT).
Feb 1730
Feb 1730
Date
Feb 1730
Significance
At least as intense as the 1989 event but less intense than the Carrington event
Sep 1770
Sep 1770
Date
Sep 1770
Sep 1859
Sep 1859
Date
Sep 1859
Event
Carrington Event
Significance
The most extreme storm ever documented by most measures; telegraph machines reportedly shocked operators and caused small fires; aurorae visible in tropical areas; first solidly established connection of flares to geomagnetic disturbances. Extreme storming directly preceded this event in late August.
Oct 1870
Oct 1870
Date
Oct 1870
Event
October 1870 geomagnetic storm
Significance
Auroras in low-latitude cities like Athens, Baghdad, Cairo, Lisbon, New York and Tbilisi have been observed 24–25 Oct 1870. The amplitude of measured horizontal fluctuation of the geomagnetic field was 281 nano-teslas (nT)
Feb 1872
Feb 1872
Date
Feb 1872
Event
Chapman–Silverman storm
Significance
Minimal Disturbance storm time index (Dst)* ≤ −834 nano-teslas (nT)
Nov 1882
Nov 1882
Date
Nov 1882
Event
November 1882 geomagnetic storm
Significance
Comparable in size to the May 2024 storms.
Oct 1903
Oct 1903
Date
Oct 1903
Event
Solar storm of Oct-Nov 1903
Significance
An extreme storm, estimated at Dst −531 nT arose from a fast CME (mean ≈1500 km/s), occurred during the ascending phase of the minimum of the relatively weak solar cycle 14, which is the most significant storm on record in a solar minimum period. Aurora was conservatively observed to ≈44 ° ILAT, and widespread disruptions and overcharging of teleg
Sep 1909
Sep 1909
Date
Sep 1909
Event
Geomagnetic storm of September 1909
Significance
Dst calculated to have reached −595 nT, comparable to the March 1989 event
May 1921
May 1921
Date
May 1921
Event
May 1921 geomagnetic storm
Significance
Among most extreme known geomagnetic storms; farthest equatorward (lowest latitude) aurora ever documented; burned out fuses, electrical apparatus, and telephone station; caused fires at signal tower and telegraph station; total communications blackouts lasting several hours. A paper in 2019 estimates a peak Dst of −907±132 nT.
Jan 1938
Jan 1938
Date
Jan 1938
Event
January 1938 geomagnetic storm, or the Fátima storm
Significance
A series of intense geomagnetic storms during the month of January 1938. Most powerful (25-26) comparible in intensity to the Oct 2024 storm, caused auroras across Europe.
Mar 1940
Mar 1940
Date
Mar 1940
Event
March 1940 superstorm
Significance
Triggered by an X35±1 solar flare. Caused significant interference to United States communication systems.
Sep 1941
Sep 1941
Date
Sep 1941
Mar 1946
Mar 1946
Date
Mar 1946
Event
Geomagnetic storm of March 1946
Significance
Est. Dstm of −512 nT
Feb 1956
Feb 1956
Date
Feb 1956
Sep 1957
Sep 1957
Date
Sep 1957
Event
Geomagnetic storm of September 1957
Feb 1958
Feb 1958
Date
Feb 1958
Event
Geomagnetic storm of February 1958
Jul 1959
Jul 1959
Date
Jul 1959
Event
Geomagnetic storm of July 1959
May 1967
May 1967
Date
May 1967
Significance
Blackout of polar surveillance radars during Cold War led U . military to scramble for nuclear war until solar origin confirmed
Oct 1968
Oct 1968
Date
Oct 1968
Aug 1972
Aug 1972
Date
Aug 1972
Event
August 1972 solar storms
Significance
Fastest CME transit time recorded; most extreme solar particle event (SPE) by some measures and the most hazardous to human spaceflight during the Space Age; severe technological disruptions, caused accidental detonation of numerous magnetic-influence sea mines
Mar 1989
Mar 1989
Date
Mar 1989
Event
March 1989 geomagnetic storm
Significance
Most extreme storm of the Space Age by several measures. Outed power grid of province of Quebec. Caused interference to United States power grid. 2024 study estimated Dstm of −750 nT.
Aug 1989
Aug 1989
Date
Aug 1989
Nov 1991
Nov 1991
Date
Nov 1991
Event
Geomagnetic storm of November 1991
Significance
An intense solar storm with about half the energy output of the March 1989 storm. Aurorae were visible in the US as far south as Texas
Apr 2000
Apr 2000
Date
Apr 2000
Jul 2000
Jul 2000
Date
Jul 2000
Event
Bastille Day solar storm
Significance
Caused by an X8-class solar flare aimed directly at Earth
Apr 2001
Apr 2001
Date
Apr 2001
Significance
A solar flare from a sunspot region associated with this activity and preceding this period produced the then largest flare detected during the Space Age at about X20 (the first event to saturate spaceborne monitoring instruments, this was exceeded in 2003) but was directed away from Earth.
Nov 2001
Nov 2001
Date
Nov 2001
Event
Geomagnetic storm of November 2001
Significance
A fast-moving CME triggered vivid aurorae as far south as Texas, California, and Florida
Oct 2003
Oct 2003
Date
Oct 2003
Event
2003 Halloween solar storms
Significance
Among top few most intense storms of the Space Age; aurora visible as far south as Texas and the Mediterranean countries of Europe. A solar flare with x-ray flux estimated to be around X45 occurred from an associated active region on 4 November but was directed away from Earth.
Nov 2003
Nov 2003
Date
Nov 2003
Event
Solar storms of November 2003
Significance
2021 study estimated Dstm of −533 nT. 2024 study estimated Dst of −490 nT
Jan 2005
Jan 2005
Date
Jan 2005
Significance
The most intense solar flare in 15 years with sunspot 720 erupting, 5 times from January 15 to 20.
Mar 2015
Mar 2015
Date
Mar 2015
Event
St. Patrick's Day storm
Significance
Largest geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 24, driven by interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variations
Sep 2017
Sep 2017
Date
Sep 2017
Significance
Triggered by an X13 class solar flare
Feb 2022
Feb 2022
Date
Feb 2022
Event
SpaceX Starlink satellites failure
Significance
A mild solar particle and geomagnetic storm of otherwise little consequence led to the premature reentry and destruction of 40 SpaceX Starlink satellites launched February 3, 2022 due to increased atmospheric drag.
30 April – 12 May 2024
30 April – 12 May 2024
Date
30 April – 12 May 2024
Event
May 2024 solar storms
Significance
X1 (X1 )-class flares and X4 flare. The flares with a magnitude of 6–7 occurred between 30 April and 4 May 2024. On 5 May the strength of the solar storm reached 5 points, which is considered strong according to the K-index. The rapidly growing sunspot AR3663 became the most active spot of the solar cycle 25. On 5 May alone, it emitted tw
Oct 2024
Oct 2024
Date
Oct 2024
Event
October 2024 solar storm
Significance
Triggered by an X1 solar flare that produced a relatively fast CME. The storm reached a peak Dst of −341 nT. A Starlink satellite re-entry occurred prematurely due to increased atmosphere drag seen as far south as Cuba.
Nov 2025
Nov 2025
Date
Nov 2025
Event
November 2025 solar storm
Significance
Auroras seen as far south as Central Mexico.
Jan 2026
Jan 2026
Date
Jan 2026
Event
January 2026 solar storm
Significance
Triggered by an X1 solar flare that produced an unusually fast CME. An S4 (i ., severe) solar radiation storm occurred, the strongest since October 1989. Auroras seen as far south as Spain and Arizona. Somewhat similar to the August 1972 storm.
Date
Event
Significance
Mar 1582
Great magnetic storms of March 1582
Prolonged severe-extreme geomagnetic storm produced aurora to 28 ° magnetic latitude (MLAT) and ≈33 ° invariant latitude (ILAT).
Feb 1730
At least as intense as the 1989 event but less intense than the Carrington event
Sep 1770
Sep 1859
Carrington Event
The most extreme storm ever documented by most measures; telegraph machines reportedly shocked operators and caused small fires; aurorae visible in tropical areas; first solidly established connection of flares to geomagnetic disturbances. Extreme storming directly preceded this event in late August.
Oct 1870
October 1870 geomagnetic storm
Auroras in low-latitude cities like Athens, Baghdad, Cairo, Lisbon, New York and Tbilisi have been observed 24–25 Oct 1870. The amplitude of measured horizontal fluctuation of the geomagnetic field was 281 nano-teslas (nT)
Feb 1872
Chapman–Silverman storm
Minimal Disturbance storm time index (Dst)* ≤ −834 nano-teslas (nT)
Nov 1882
November 1882 geomagnetic storm
Comparable in size to the May 2024 storms.
Oct 1903
Solar storm of Oct-Nov 1903
An extreme storm, estimated at Dst −531 nT arose from a fast CME (mean ≈1500 km/s), occurred during the ascending phase of the minimum of the relatively weak solar cycle 14, which is the most significant storm on record in a solar minimum period. Aurora was conservatively observed to ≈44 ° ILAT, and widespread disruptions and overcharging of teleg
Sep 1909
Geomagnetic storm of September 1909
Dst calculated to have reached −595 nT, comparable to the March 1989 event
May 1921
May 1921 geomagnetic storm
Among most extreme known geomagnetic storms; farthest equatorward (lowest latitude) aurora ever documented; burned out fuses, electrical apparatus, and telephone station; caused fires at signal tower and telegraph station; total communications blackouts lasting several hours. A paper in 2019 estimates a peak Dst of −907±132 nT.
Jan 1938
January 1938 geomagnetic storm, or the Fátima storm
A series of intense geomagnetic storms during the month of January 1938. Most powerful (25-26) comparible in intensity to the Oct 2024 storm, caused auroras across Europe.
Mar 1940
March 1940 superstorm
Triggered by an X35±1 solar flare. Caused significant interference to United States communication systems.
Sep 1941
Mar 1946
Geomagnetic storm of March 1946
Est. Dstm of −512 nT
Feb 1956
Sep 1957
Geomagnetic storm of September 1957
Feb 1958
Geomagnetic storm of February 1958
Jul 1959
Geomagnetic storm of July 1959
May 1967
Blackout of polar surveillance radars during Cold War led U . military to scramble for nuclear war until solar origin confirmed
Oct 1968
Aug 1972
August 1972 solar storms
Fastest CME transit time recorded; most extreme solar particle event (SPE) by some measures and the most hazardous to human spaceflight during the Space Age; severe technological disruptions, caused accidental detonation of numerous magnetic-influence sea mines
Mar 1989
March 1989 geomagnetic storm
Most extreme storm of the Space Age by several measures. Outed power grid of province of Quebec. Caused interference to United States power grid. 2024 study estimated Dstm of −750 nT.
Aug 1989
Nov 1991
Geomagnetic storm of November 1991
An intense solar storm with about half the energy output of the March 1989 storm. Aurorae were visible in the US as far south as Texas
Apr 2000
Jul 2000
Bastille Day solar storm
Caused by an X8-class solar flare aimed directly at Earth
Apr 2001
A solar flare from a sunspot region associated with this activity and preceding this period produced the then largest flare detected during the Space Age at about X20 (the first event to saturate spaceborne monitoring instruments, this was exceeded in 2003) but was directed away from Earth.
Nov 2001
Geomagnetic storm of November 2001
A fast-moving CME triggered vivid aurorae as far south as Texas, California, and Florida
Oct 2003
2003 Halloween solar storms
Among top few most intense storms of the Space Age; aurora visible as far south as Texas and the Mediterranean countries of Europe. A solar flare with x-ray flux estimated to be around X45 occurred from an associated active region on 4 November but was directed away from Earth.
Nov 2003
Solar storms of November 2003
2021 study estimated Dstm of −533 nT. 2024 study estimated Dst of −490 nT
Jan 2005
The most intense solar flare in 15 years with sunspot 720 erupting, 5 times from January 15 to 20.
Mar 2015
St. Patrick's Day storm
Largest geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 24, driven by interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variations
Sep 2017
Triggered by an X13 class solar flare
Feb 2022
SpaceX Starlink satellites failure
A mild solar particle and geomagnetic storm of otherwise little consequence led to the premature reentry and destruction of 40 SpaceX Starlink satellites launched February 3, 2022 due to increased atmospheric drag.
30 April – 12 May 2024
May 2024 solar storms
X1 (X1 )-class flares and X4 flare. The flares with a magnitude of 6–7 occurred between 30 April and 4 May 2024. On 5 May the strength of the solar storm reached 5 points, which is considered strong according to the K-index. The rapidly growing sunspot AR3663 became the most active spot of the solar cycle 25. On 5 May alone, it emitted tw
Oct 2024
October 2024 solar storm
Triggered by an X1 solar flare that produced a relatively fast CME. The storm reached a peak Dst of −341 nT. A Starlink satellite re-entry occurred prematurely due to increased atmosphere drag seen as far south as Cuba.
Nov 2025
November 2025 solar storm
Auroras seen as far south as Central Mexico.
Jan 2026
January 2026 solar storm
Triggered by an X1 solar flare that produced an unusually fast CME. An S4 (i ., severe) solar radiation storm occurred, the strongest since October 1989. Auroras seen as far south as Spain and Arizona. Somewhat similar to the August 1972 storm.
· Coronal mass ejections and solar particle events › Events not affecting Earth
23 July 2012
23 July 2012
Date(s)
23 July 2012
Event
July 2012 solar storm
Significance
Ultrafast CME directed away from Earth with characteristics that may have made it a Carrington-class storm
1 Sep 2014
1 Sep 2014
Date(s)
1 Sep 2014
Significance
Caused a fast CME and a proton event.
23 July 2017
23 July 2017
Date(s)
23 July 2017
Significance
5 years after the 2012 CME.
15 Feb 2022
15 Feb 2022
Date(s)
15 Feb 2022
21 Oct 2025
21 Oct 2025
Date(s)
21 Oct 2025
Date(s)
Event
Significance
23 July 2012
July 2012 solar storm
Ultrafast CME directed away from Earth with characteristics that may have made it a Carrington-class storm
1 Sep 2014
Caused a fast CME and a proton event.
23 July 2017
5 years after the 2012 CME.
15 Feb 2022
21 Oct 2025
· Soft X-ray solar flares
Start
Start
No.
Start
SXR Class
Max
Date
End
1
1
No.
1
SXR Class
>X28+
Date
2003-11-04
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10486
Time (UTC)
19:29
Time (UTC)
19:53
Time (UTC)
20:06
Notes
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
2
2
No.
2
SXR Class
X20
Date
2001-04-02
Solar cycle
23
Active region
9393
Time (UTC)
21:32
Time (UTC)
21:51
Time (UTC)
22:03
3
3
No.
3
SXR Class
X17
Date
2003-10-28
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10486
Time (UTC)
09:51
Time (UTC)
11:10
Time (UTC)
11:24
Notes
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
4
4
No.
4
SXR Class
X17
Date
2005-09-07
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10808
Time (UTC)
17:17
Time (UTC)
17:40
Time (UTC)
18:03
5
5
No.
5
SXR Class
X14
Date
2001-04-15
Solar cycle
23
Active region
9415
Time (UTC)
13:19
Time (UTC)
13:50
Time (UTC)
13:55
6
6
No.
6
SXR Class
X10
Date
2003-10-29
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10486
Time (UTC)
20:37
Time (UTC)
20:49
Time (UTC)
21:01
Notes
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
7
7
No.
7
SXR Class
X9
Date
1997-11-06
Solar cycle
23
Active region
8100
Time (UTC)
11:49
Time (UTC)
11:55
Time (UTC)
12:01
8
8
No.
8
SXR Class
X9
Date
2017-09-06
Solar cycle
24
Active region
12673
Time (UTC)
11:53
Time (UTC)
12:02
Time (UTC)
12:10
9
9
No.
9
SXR Class
X9
Date
2006-12-05
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10930
Time (UTC)
10:18
Time (UTC)
10:35
Time (UTC)
10:45
10
10
No.
10
SXR Class
X8
Date
2003-11-02
Solar cycle
23
Active region
10486
Time (UTC)
17:03
Time (UTC)
17:25
Time (UTC)
17:39
Notes
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
No.
SXR Class
Date
Solar cycle
Active region
Time (UTC)
Notes
Start
Max
End
1
>X28+
2003-11-04
23
10486
19:29
19:53
20:06
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
2
X20
2001-04-02
23
9393
21:32
21:51
22:03
3
X17
2003-10-28
23
10486
09:51
11:10
11:24
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
4
X17
2005-09-07
23
10808
17:17
17:40
18:03
5
X14
2001-04-15
23
9415
13:19
13:50
13:55
6
X10
2003-10-29
23
10486
20:37
20:49
21:01
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms
7
X9
1997-11-06
23
8100
11:49
11:55
12:01
8
X9
2017-09-06
24
12673
11:53
12:02
12:10
9
X9
2006-12-05
23
10930
10:18
10:35
10:45
10
X8
2003-11-02
23
10486
17:03
17:25
17:39
Associated with the 2003 Halloween solar storms

References

  1. SpaceWeatherLive
    https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/help/the-interplanetary-magnetic-field-imf.html
  2. Earth and Space Science
    https://doi.org/10.1002%2F2017EA000258
  3. Geophysical Research Letters
    https://doi.org/10.1029%2F2005GL023486
  4. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
    https://doi.org/10.1029%2F96JA04020
  5. Multiscale Coupling of Sun-Earth Processes
    https://doi.org/10.1016%2FB978-044451881-1%2F50014-9
  6. LiveScience
    https://www.livescience.com/solar-storm-internet-apocalypse
  7. RadsOnAPlane
    https://www.radsonaplane.com/
  8. NASA Science News
    https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/21jan_severespaceweather/
  9. "NOAA Space Weather Scales"
    https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/images/NOAAscales.pdf
  10. NASA Science News
    https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/06may_carringtonflare/
  11. Geomagnetic Storms and Their Impacts on the U . Power Grid
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120819022440/http://www.ornl.gov/sci/ees/etsd/pes/pubs/ferc_Meta-R-319.pdf
  12. National Space Weather Action Plan
    https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/final_nationalspaceweatheractionplan_20151028.pdf
  13. arXiv
    https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.05348
  14. IEEE Spectrum
    https://spectrum.ieee.org/kessler-syndrome-space-debris
  15. Scientific American
    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/satellites-used-to-have-months-to-avoid-collisions-now-they-have-days/
  16. 2015 Space Weather Workshop
    https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/images/u33/final_shibata_SWW_2015.pdf
  17. Nat. Commun
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4820840
  18. Astrophysical Journal
    https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Faa8e96
  19. Astron. Astrophys
    https://arxiv.org/abs/1212.2086
  20. Living Rev. Sol. Phys
    https://arxiv.org/abs/0810.3972
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