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Features of HF radio wave propagation on mid-latitude radio paths during magnetically disturbed periods in 2023–2025.

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Title: Features of HF radio wave propagation on mid-latitude radio paths during magnetically disturbed periods in 2023–2025.
Authors: Ponomarchuk, S.N.1 (AUTHOR) spon@iszf.irk.ru, Zolotukhina, N.A.1 (AUTHOR) zolot@iszf.irk.ru, Kurkin, V.I.1 (AUTHOR) kurkin@iszf.irk.ru
Source: Advances in Space Research. May2026, Vol. 77 Issue 10, p10499-10519. 21p.
Subjects: Radio wave propagation, Magnetic storms, Ionospheric techniques, Space environment, Ionospheric disturbances
Geographic Terms: IAkutsk (Russia)
Abstract: • Presented are the results of analyzing data from oblique-incidence soundings during magnetic storms. • Interplanetary sources of magnetic storms are given. • Strong variations in the maximum frequencies are caused by signals propagating outside the great circle arc. Geomagnetic storms are accompanied by various disturbances in the ionosphere (ionospheric storms), changing the propagation conditions for high frequency (HF) radio waves. The spatial arrangement of large-scale structures like the main ionospheric trough (MIT) and the zone of diffuse electron precipitation relative to ionospheric regions reflecting radio waves exerts the strongest impact on radio propagation. During magnetic storms, these structures move towards lower latitudes, leading to substantial variations in the maximum observed frequencies (MOFs) over mid-latitude radio paths, deviations of signal propagation paths from the great circle arc, anomalous diffuse signals with delays exceeding those of regular signal propagation, and total loss of radio propagation. This study is mainly focused on the manifestations of magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions in HF radio wave propagation during magnetic storms of different types. Results presented here are derived from analyzing data collected using oblique soundings (OS) of the ionosphere with continuous chirp signals along two mid-latitude paths (Magadan-Irkutsk and Norilsk-Irkutsk) during storms of different types between 2023 and 2025. We examine ten storm events including four moderate, three strong, two severe, and one great geomagnetic storm. Our findings indicate that significant MOF variations and features of signal mode structure during local evening and nighttime hours correlate with additional signals recorded on OS ionograms when the field of magnetospheric convection intensifies. Their appearance can be related to both radio wave refraction in the MIT region, and scattering on small-scale inhomogeneities oriented along the Earth's magnetic field in the vicinity of the auroral oval equatorial boundary or within MIT. A decrease in the F2 layer critical frequencies within MIT and diffuse electron precipitations enhance radio wave absorption and lead to the total loss of radio propagation on mid-latitude paths. Such effects are particularly evident during the main and recovery phases of the great storm on 10–13 May 2024. On the Magadan–Irkutsk path, extended intervals are registered when the F1 layer shields off OS signals reflected from the F2 layer due to G condition in ionospheric layer parameters—the critical frequency of the F1 layer exceeds that of the F2 layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:• Presented are the results of analyzing data from oblique-incidence soundings during magnetic storms. • Interplanetary sources of magnetic storms are given. • Strong variations in the maximum frequencies are caused by signals propagating outside the great circle arc. Geomagnetic storms are accompanied by various disturbances in the ionosphere (ionospheric storms), changing the propagation conditions for high frequency (HF) radio waves. The spatial arrangement of large-scale structures like the main ionospheric trough (MIT) and the zone of diffuse electron precipitation relative to ionospheric regions reflecting radio waves exerts the strongest impact on radio propagation. During magnetic storms, these structures move towards lower latitudes, leading to substantial variations in the maximum observed frequencies (MOFs) over mid-latitude radio paths, deviations of signal propagation paths from the great circle arc, anomalous diffuse signals with delays exceeding those of regular signal propagation, and total loss of radio propagation. This study is mainly focused on the manifestations of magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions in HF radio wave propagation during magnetic storms of different types. Results presented here are derived from analyzing data collected using oblique soundings (OS) of the ionosphere with continuous chirp signals along two mid-latitude paths (Magadan-Irkutsk and Norilsk-Irkutsk) during storms of different types between 2023 and 2025. We examine ten storm events including four moderate, three strong, two severe, and one great geomagnetic storm. Our findings indicate that significant MOF variations and features of signal mode structure during local evening and nighttime hours correlate with additional signals recorded on OS ionograms when the field of magnetospheric convection intensifies. Their appearance can be related to both radio wave refraction in the MIT region, and scattering on small-scale inhomogeneities oriented along the Earth's magnetic field in the vicinity of the auroral oval equatorial boundary or within MIT. A decrease in the F2 layer critical frequencies within MIT and diffuse electron precipitations enhance radio wave absorption and lead to the total loss of radio propagation on mid-latitude paths. Such effects are particularly evident during the main and recovery phases of the great storm on 10–13 May 2024. On the Magadan–Irkutsk path, extended intervals are registered when the F1 layer shields off OS signals reflected from the F2 layer due to G condition in ionospheric layer parameters—the critical frequency of the F1 layer exceeds that of the F2 layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02731177
DOI:10.1016/j.asr.2026.03.068