The influence of active meteorological systems on the ionospheric F-region

Abstract

Effects on the F region of two active meteorological systems will be analyzed. These systems are known as Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs). Ionospheric data from a vertical sounder located in Tucumán will be used. By comparing the behaviour of the F region parameters on the days before and after the MCC storm day, we see outstanding differences. These differences occur during night and dawn hours in both cases. The two phenomena show influences on the F region. One case shows an increase in electronic concentration followed by a decrease and the other shows the opposite effect. Gravity wave propagation from the top of clouds could be connected to these MCCs effects. Other possible physical mechanisms are also discussed.

Keywords

• MCCs
• F-region
• virtual height
• electronic concentration