A strong M5.6 solar flare erupted from Active Region 4046 at 07:55 UTC on April 1, 2025, producing a 10cm radio burst but showing no signs of an associated coronal mass ejection (CME). Meanwhile, a solar radiation storm triggered by the X1.1 flare on March 28 reached the S2 – Moderate threshold at 02:05 UTC today.
A powerful earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.7 hit Myanmar at 06:20 UTC (12:50 LT) on March 28, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth, while the Thai Meteorological Department put the magnitude at 8.2. The quake was followed by a strong aftershock measuring M6.7 just 12 minutes later.
Heavy rains beginning on March 23, 2025, have caused historic flooding across Queensland, Australia, with the town of Stonehenge submerged after the Thomson River exceeded the 1974 flood levels on March 27. Major flood warnings remain in effect as several rivers continue to rise dangerously.
Severe thunderstorms swept through Seattle and much of the Pacific Northwest on March 26, 2025, after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued the first Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Seattle since 1999. The storms brought hail, rain, and frequent lightning that damaged multiple structures.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a rare level 2 out of 5, or Slight Risk, for severe thunderstorms across parts of the Pacific Northwest from March 26 to 27, potentially impacting over 7.2 million people in major cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. The threats include hail in excess of 2.5 cm (1 inch), wind gusts over 93 km/h (58 mph), and possible isolated tornadoes.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit near the coast of South Island, New Zealand at 01:43 UTC (14:43 local time) on March 25, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 21 km (13 miles). New Zealand’s GeoNet is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles), and EMSC M7.0 at a depth of 9 km (5.6 miles).
A rapid increase in volcanic tremor was recorded at Mount Etna, Italy on March 24, 2025, followed by explosive activity at the Southeast Crater. The eruption occurred after tremor levels rose significantly, prompting authorities to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red at 10:18 UTC.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) launched from the Sun on March 21, 2025, is expected to impact Earth early on March 23, prompting a G3 – Strong geomagnetic storm watch issued by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The CME was associated with an M1.2 solar flare from Region 4028 at 15:34 UTC.
A major eruption took place at Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano on March 20, 2025, ejecting ash up to 16.2 km (53 000 feet) above sea level.
Blizzard warnings and multiple winter weather alerts have been issued across the Central Plains and Midwest as a powerful winter storm is forecast to sweep through the region starting Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Strong winds of over 80 km/h (50 mph) and snow accumulation of up to 15 cm (6 inches) will create impossible travel conditions along key routes.
