BEIJING- A large solar flare accompanied by electromagnetic storms affected shortwave radio communications in southern China on Tuesday, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

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The CMA's space weather monitoring center reported that it had spotted the X2.2-class solar flare at 9:56 am Tuesday Beijing Time.

Xue Bingsen, a researcher with the center, said the solar flare caused sudden ionospheric disturbances in the atmosphere above China and affected shortwave radio communications, according to a CMA statement.

A solar flare is a violent explosion in the sun's atmosphere caused by huge magnetic activity. The flares produce large amounts of radiation that can affect the Earth's ionosphere and disrupt radio communications.

The space weather monitoring center said there is a high probability that large solar flares will appear in the next three days.