The impacts of tropospheric gravity wave-generated MSTIDs on skywaves at middle latitude North American sector observed and modeled using SuperDARN HF radars

TL;DR

This study investigates how gravity wave-generated MSTIDs influence skywave propagation at middle latitudes, using combined observational data from SuperDARN radars and advanced modeling to understand their impact on ionospheric radio signals.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled modeling approach that links tropospheric thunderstorm activity to ionospheric disturbances affecting HF skywaves, validated by comparison with SuperDARN observations.

Findings

MSTIDs are observed at F-region heights during thunderstorms.

Modeled ray paths suggest MSTIDs can create plasma waveguides.

Qualitative agreement between model and observations confirms the impact of MSTIDs.

Abstract

Trans-ionospheric high frequency (HF: 3-30 MHz) response to gravity waves (GWs) is studied in the middle-latitude ionosphere in relation to thunderstorm activity. SuperDARN HF radar observations are compared against the model simulations to quantify the impact of GW-generated MSTID (medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances) activity on the skywaves traveling through ionospheric F-region heights. The tropospheric thunderstorm-driven convective source is modeled using MAGIC. The outputs are coupled with GEMINI to model ionospheric plasma response, which is then used to model SuperDARN HF radar observations using the PHaRLAP raytracing tool. Semi-concentric GWs were observed at different atmospheric heights, creating MSTIDs at F-region heights. PHaRLAP raytracing through the modeled ionosphere shows great qualitative agreement with SuperDARN daytime ground scatter observations. Modeled rays show possibilities of long ducting Pedersen rays, suggesting MSTID can create a plasma waveguide to duct rays at the F-region height.