An impressive solar flare is heading towards Earth and could disrupt power grids, GPS and plane flights.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Centre said the sun erupted on Tuesday evening and the effects should start hitting Earth close to 4pm AEDT on Thursday.

A handout image provided by NASA shows the massive solar flare erupt from the Sun.

They said it was the biggest eruption in five years and growing.

The magnetic storm has the potential to trip electrical power grids.

Its radio emissions can disrupt global positioning systems to make them less accurate. It also could damage satellites.

Scientists said communication problems and radiation from the storm would probably force planes to avoid flying over the north and south poles. Colourful auroras may be more visible.

AP