Ionospheric acoustic and gravity waves associated with midlatitude thunderstorms

Acoustic waves with periods of 2–4 min and gravity waves with periods of 6–16 min have been detected at ionospheric heights (250–350 km) using GPS total electron content measurements. The area disturbed by these waves and the wave amplitudes have been associated with underlying thunderstorm activity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2015-07, Vol.120 (7), p.6010-6020
Main Authors: Lay, Erin H., Shao, Xuan-Min, Kendrick, Alexander K., Carrano, Charles S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic measurement
Acoustic waves
Acoustics
Amplitudes
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GEOSCIENCES
Gravitational waves
Gravity waves
ionosphere
Ionospheric electron content
Ionospherics
Mesoscale convective systems
Mesoscale phenomena
Meteorological radar
Radar
Storms
Thunderstorm activity
Thunderstorms
Total Electron Content
troposphere/ionosphere coupling
Weather radar
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Summary:Acoustic waves with periods of 2–4 min and gravity waves with periods of 6–16 min have been detected at ionospheric heights (250–350 km) using GPS total electron content measurements. The area disturbed by these waves and the wave amplitudes have been associated with underlying thunderstorm activity. A statistical study comparing Next Generation Weather Radar thunderstorm measurements with ionospheric acoustic and gravity waves in the midlatitude U.S. Great Plains region was performed for the time period of May–July 2005. An increase of ionospheric acoustic wave disturbed area and amplitude is primarily associated with large thunderstorms (mesoscale convective systems). Ionospheric gravity wave disturbed area and amplitude scale with thunderstorm activity, with even small storms (i.e., individual storm cells) producing an increase of gravity waves. Key Points Acoustic and gravity waves in GPS TEC were detected above thunderstorms Statistical study shows wave areas increase as thunderstorm size increases Excluding high Kp times, TEC waves rarely occur without thunderstorm activity
ISSN:2169-9380
2169-9402
DOI:10.1002/2015JA021334