A powerful X1.1 solar flare erupted from sunspot region AR4479 on June 30, briefly causing radio blackouts across parts of North America.

The burst of energy reached Earth in minutes and triggered R3-level disruptions to high-frequency communications on the planet’s daylight side.

The event also launched a coronal mass ejection, though initial analysis suggested most of it would miss Earth.

Later forecasts from NOAA indicated a moderate geomagnetic storm could still occur if part of the CME impacts Earth around July 3, Space.com has reported.

If it does, it could produce enhanced auroras potentially visible farther south than usual across parts of the United States.