Massive Solar Flare Triggers Widespread Blackouts and Possible Solar Storm.

A powerful M9.6 class solar flare erupted from a hidden sunspot behind the sun's southeast limb, causing moderate radio blackouts over parts of North America, Central America, and South America. The sunspot will soon come into Earth-view and be directly facing us by the weekend. Solar flares are caused by magnetic energy buildup in the solar atmosphere and are categorized by size into lettered groups, with X-class being the most powerful. Solar activity is on the rise as part of solar cycle 25, which scientists predict will peak in 2025.