Co-located Space Weather radar studies over Southern Africa

Over the past decade considerable attention has been given to increasing the geophysical infrastructure within the African region with particular emphasis on data collection for the purpose of enhancing our knowledge of ionospheric events that result from adverse Space Weather. South Africa continues to contribute to this effort through the expansion of its own networks, the assistance with networks into other African countries, and the training of young researchers from Africa. Currently, the South African network includes four DPS-4D digisondes, approximately 50 Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, 1 GPS Scintillation Receivers, 1 High Frequency (HF) Doppler Radar and 2 permanent Magnetic Observatory Sites. At least 4 sites in South Africa currently host, or will in the future host, co-located radar systems. This paper will demonstrate the ability to enhance scientific investigation of Space Weather events over South Africa using co-located radar systems. The examples will be given for the Hermanus, South Africa location, which was the first African site to host a DPS-4D digisonde, HF Doppler Radar and GPS Scintillation receiver at the same location. The benefits of this site in assisting with event analysis, particularly for Space Weather forecasts and predictions, will be shown.