Ionospheric and Thermospheric Effects of Hurricane Grace in 2021 Observed by Satellites

Abstract

Effects of Hurricane Grace in August 2021 are studied in the thermosphere and ionosphere, using data from the COSMIC-2, ICON, and GOLD satellites. Significant impacts on electron density, thermospheric winds, and temperature are observed after the onset of the hurricane, compared to the pre-hurricane phase. Comparison of the observations during the hurricane with the ones during a non-hurricane year clearly provides further evidence for substantial hurricane-induced thermospheric and ionospheric changes. We reveal an enhancement in electron density during the hurricane's rapid intensification and pronounced changes in thermospheric winds. Additionally, the low-latitude thermosphere exhibits considerable warming of up to 70 K around 150 km during this period. These changes highlight the long-range vertical coupling mechanisms between hurricanes and the upper atmosphere, and provide valuable insights into the profound influence of meteorological events on upper atmospheric dynamics, emphasizing the need for further exploration.