Abstract

Ionospheric Sq current systems during unusually strong and prolonged stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events in January 2006 and January 2009 are examined by analyzing ground-magnetometer data for the American and Asian longitude sectors. During these SSW events, a significant decrease and incr... Show moreIonospheric Sq current systems during unusually strong and prolonged stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events in January 2006 and January 2009 are examined by analyzing ground-magnetometer data for the American and Asian longitude sectors. During these SSW events, a significant decrease and increase of the Sq equivalent current intensity are observed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively, along with a reduction in the longitudinal separation between the northern and southern current vortices. Numerical experiments using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General-Circulation Model show that changes in the solar anti-symmetric (2,3) semidiurnal tide can bring about similar changes in the Sq current system. Show less