Storm Time Ionospheric-Tropospheric Dynamics: a Study Through Ionospheric and Lower Atmospheric Variability Features of High/Mid and Low Latitudes

Abstract

Geomagnetic storm is one of the major disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere and its effect on ionosphere is a well studied area, yet there are a few aspects still require attention for possible framing of a reliable comprehensive model associating lower atmospheric variabilities. One of them is the role of storm time coupling mechanisms between high/mid latitudes and equatorial anomaly crest region in modifying ionospheric parameters and their simultaneous effect at the lower altitudes. In this background the paper presents a comparative analysis of the magnetic storm induced effects on the ionosphere for a few events of weak to very strong intensity, covering periods from 2011 to 2015 by utilizing  foF₂ data collected at high/mid latitude station of IZMIRAN (55.47° N, 37.30° E, Ф = +50.82°) and mid latitude station Alma-Ata (43.25° N, 76.92° E, Ф = +33.42°) and Total Electron Content (TEC) profiles of Guwahati (26.148° N, 91.73° E, Ф = +12.30°), an equatorial anomaly crest station. The modulation characters in storm time density at the latitudinal zone of study area are presented in association with lower atmospheric variability. In support to the observed variations, the role of storm induced electric field in development process of equatorial anomaly is brought in to ambit of discussion along with possible reason for changes at lower altitudes.