Modeling the Midlatitude Ionosphere Storm‐Enhanced Density Distribution With a Data Assimilation Model

• DOI: 10.1029/2018sw001882
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02T00:02:21Z
• Authors: L. C. Gardner; R. W. Schunk; L. Scherliess; V. Eccles; S. Basu; C. Valladeres
• Keywords: Middle latitudes; Anomaly (physics)

Abstract The Utah State University Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements‐Gauss Markov model has been used to investigate the distribution ionospheric plasma during storm times over continental United States. Storm periods dramatically increase effects space weather on ionosphere and upper atmosphere, leading impacts over‐the‐horizon radars, Positioning System location determination, spacecraft charging, power grid overloads, disruption Federal Aviation Administration Wide Area Augmentation name a few. Four were investigated where strong storm‐enhanced densities (SEDs) present: two strong, October 2003 November 2003, moderate, August 2010 2011. It was found that fundamental difference in SED formation exists between moderate storms. For storms, formed from northern equatorial anomaly crest, with channel lifting closer it came high latitudes. appeared be unconnected crest but rather produced locally channel, along no corresponding layer height associated evident model.