Solar Cycle 25's Maximum Might Arrive Earlier And Hit Harder

Solar Cycle 25 began in April 2019. Since the cycle began in April 2019, the sun has been more active. It's unleashed solar flares and coronal mass eruptions as well as geomagnetic thunderstorms. At least one scientist warned that solar maximum might arrive earlier than expected, which is not good news for digital economies on Earth.

Forecasts indicate that the current solar cycle will peak in 2025. The total number of solar spots was at its highest level in eight years by December 2022. This indicated that solar activity was increasing. Scientists observed twice as much sunspots earlier this year -- a red flag that the solar maximum may be approaching.

Solar flares are another indicator of increased activity.

In the first half of 2023, there were more X class flares than all of 2022. At least one of these directly hit Earth. Solar flare classes are A, B C, M, and X. Each class is at least 10x more powerful than its predecessor. --

Live Science

We've been explaining for years that solar flares can cause geomagnetic disturbances, which disrupt satellites and power grids.

Risks Solar Storms Pose On Modern Economy

Alex James, a solar physicist from the University of College London said that this is concerning.

Live Science

The increase in solar activity on the sun is a sign that the solar maximum may arrive before the end of the year. He said that the initial prediction was for 2025.

James stated that all this evidence indicates that Solar Cycle 25 will "peak earlier and higher than expected," James.

The science journal has received similar predictions from other solar physicists. They said: "We're not prepared."

In 2016, the Obama Administration issued an executive order titled "Solar Storms and Grid Down Events" that showed how serious it was about solar storms.

"Coordinating efforts to prepare the nation for space weather events."

Remember to keep this in mind

"Solar Storms Can Devastate Entire Civilizations."