Coronal hole evolution from multi-viewpoint data as input for a STEREO solar wind speed persistence model

TL;DR

This study develops a solar wind forecasting method using multi-viewpoint EUV data and coronal hole evolution from STEREO and other observatories, improving high-speed stream predictions for Earth.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining coronal hole evolution with persistence modeling from multi-viewpoint data for improved solar wind forecasting.

Findings

Enhanced prediction of high-speed streams by 12% compared to ACE-based models.

Reduced missed streams by 23% and false alarms by 19% with the new model.

Coronal hole evolution impacts solar wind speed, supporting future multi-viewpoint missions.

Abstract

We present a concept study of a solar wind forecasting method for Earth, based on persistence modeling from STEREO in-situ measurements combined with multi-viewpoint EUV observational data. By comparing the fractional areas of coronal holes (CHs) extracted from EUV data of STEREO and SoHO/SDO, we perform an uncertainty assessment derived from changes in the CHs and apply those changes to the predicted solar wind speed profile at 1AU. We evaluate the method for the time period 2008-2012, and compare the results to a persistence model based on ACE in-situ measurements and to the STEREO persistence model without implementing the information on CH evolution. Compared to an ACE based persistence model, the performance of the STEREO persistence model which takes into account the evolution of CHs, is able to increase the number of correctly predicted high-speed streams by about 12%, and to decrease the number of missed streams by about 23%, and the number of false alarms by about 19%. However, the added information on CH evolution is not able to deliver more accurate speed values for the forecast than using the STEREO persistence model without CH information which performs better than an ACE based persistence model. Investigating the CH evolution between STEREO and Earth view for varying separation angles over ~25-140{\deg} East of Earth, we derive some relation between expanding CHs and increasing solar wind speed, but a less clear relation for decaying CHs and decreasing solar wind speed. This fact most likely prevents the method from making more precise forecasts. The obtained results support a future L5 mission and show the importance and valuable contribution using multi-viewpoint data.