A Perspective of Ionosphere-Thermosphere Modeling from the Current NOAA/SWPC Operational Model

Abstract:

At NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, the coupled Whole Atmosphere Model - Ionosphere Plasmasphere Model (WAM-IPE) is currently in the process of being transitioned into operations at the US National Weather Service (NWS). This model calculates Earth’s global three-dimensional, time-dependent, neutral atmosphere from the surface up to the thermosphere at 10^-7 hPa (400-600 km), coupled to a global ionosphere-plasmasphere that extends to several Earth radii. The aim is to provide a forecast of the neutral and plasma environment that impacts the GNSS positioning, global communications, and collision avoidance for space traffic management. WAM-IPE has been running in real-time and will start to provide operational nowcast/forecast products at SWPC’s forecast office in the near future. To meet operational requirements as well as to ensure the accuracy of the results, many difficulties were encountered and have been dealt with through the transitional process to make the model more robust and efficient. In this talk, we will describe the status of the research to operation (R2O) process, share the challenges, and outline our future tasks. We will also share our vision of possible ways to improve the current status of community modeling and the approaches that we will be taking based on experience with WAM-IPE.