Last Updated: 03/29/2024

WAM-IPE

Version: v1.0

WAM-IPE provides neutral atmospheric parameters from the ground to the upper thermosphere at around 500 km.

WAM was developed based on the spectral version of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS) used for medium-range numerical weather prediction. The WAM system is used to quantify the impact of lower atmosphere weather on the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, as well as the response to solar and geomagnetic activity. The thermospheric parameters calculated by WAM are fed into IPE for calculating the responses in the ionosphere. The ESMF 3D re-gridding capability is used for exchanging the information. IPE is a time-dependent and global three-dimensional model that provides densities, temperatures, and velocity of ions and electron from 90 km to several Earth radii. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) coordinate system is used to accurately represent Earth’s magnetic field. The fieldline calculations are based on the Field Line Interhemispheric Plasma (FLIP) model. The ExB transport is applied zonally and meridionally across Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetic field line or flux-tube coordinate system is designed for seamless perpendicular plasma transport pole-to-pole. In the operational setting, both models use the Weimer empirical ion convection model and TIROS auroral empirical model, both driven by the solar wind data, to specify the external energy input from the magnetosphere.

Inputs

Inputs for Weimer model: Interplanetary magnetic field, By and Bz, in nT Solar wind density and speed, ρ and v, in cm-3 and km s-1

Outputs

Primary timed-dependent output fields, specified in latitude, longitude, and pressure level: Geopotential height: Height of pressure surfaces (cm) Temperatures: Neutral, ion, electron (K) Neutral winds: zonal, meridional, (cm s-1), vertical (s-1) Composition: O, O2, NO, N(4S), N(2D) (mass mixing ratios - dimensionless) Ion and electron densities: O+, O2+, Ne (cm-3), (NO+ is calculated from Ne - (O+ + O2+)) Electric potential: (V) Ion drift

Model is time-dependent.

Domains

  • Global Ionosphere
  • Thermosphere

Space Weather Impacts

  • Ionosphere variability (navigation, communications)
  • Atmosphere variability (satellite/debris drag)

Publications

Code

Code Languages: Fortran

Contacts

Publication Policy

In addition to any model-specific policy, please refer to the General Publication Policy.