The Impacts of Tropospheric Gravity Wave‐Generated MSTIDs on Skywaves at Mid‐latitude North American Sector Observed and Modeled Using SuperDARN HF Radars

Abstract

Trans‐ionospheric high frequency (HF: 3–30 MHz) response to atmospheric 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 medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTID) 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 medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) at F‐region heights. PHaRLAP raytracing through the modeled ionosphere shows qualitative agreement with SuperDARN daytime ground/sea 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 altitudes.