Non-radial solar wind flows and IMF Bz during 1973–2003

The characteristics of latitudinal angles of solar wind flow (θv) observed near earth have been studied during the period 1973–2003. The average magnitude of θv shows distinct enhancements during the declining and maximum phases of the sunspot cycles. A close association of Bz component of IMF in the GSE system and the orientation of meridional flows in the solar wind is found which depends on the IMF sector polarity. This effect has been studied in typical geomagnetic storm periods. The occurrence of non-radial flows is also found to exhibit heliolatitudinal dependence during the years 1975 and 1985 as a characteristic feature of non-radial solar wind expansion from polar coronal holes.