A regional ionospheric model for forecasting the critical frequency of the F2 layer during disturbed geomagnetic and ionospheric conditions

A ionospheric forecasting empirical regional model (IFERM) to predict the state of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) over Europe during geomagnetic storms and disturbed ionospheric conditions, is under development. The IFERM model is based on 13 local forecasting models developed to predict foF2 at 13 ionospheric observatories scattered in the European area. Hourly measurements of foF2, hourly quiet-time reference values of foF2 (foF2QT), and the time weighted accumulation hourly series derived from the geomagnetic planetary index ap, ap(τ), were considered for each observatory to develop the forecasting procedures.