With the onset of the first day of the new year in 2024, one of the most powerful solar eruptions in the current 25 solar cycle occurred. The X5.0 class flare occurred in active region 3536 at 21:55 UTC on December 31, 2023, marking the most potent eruption since September 2017.

This eruption was associated with a type IV radio emission, which typically occurs during large solar eruptions and is linked to strong coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar storms. The flare also resulted in a 21-minute radio blackout, indicating significant radio noise that could cause disruptions in devices such as radar, GPS, and satellite communication.

The location of the region did not favor CMEs directed towards Earth, but this may change as the region rotates towards the center of the solar disk. In region 3536, a weaker M1.0 eruption was also observed, while other regions were either in a decaying phase or stable.

In addition to the X5.0 eruption, three filament ejections were observed, although they were not directed along the Sun-Earth line. Solar activity was forecasted to be at a low level with the possibility of weaker M-class eruptions and a chance of X-class eruptions until January 3, especially in the new region 3536.

The partial halo CME associated with the X5.0 eruption was expected to pass mainly beyond Earth's orbit, following the location of the source AR 3536 near the northeast limb of the Sun. However, due to the extensive nature of the eruption and shock, certain effects on Earth are possible.