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Ionospheric critical frequency (foF2) is an important ionospheric parameter in telecommunication. Ionospheric processes are highly nonlinear and time varying. Thus, mathematical modeling based on physical principles is extremely difficult if not impossible. The authors forecast foF2 values by using neural networks and, in parallel, they calculate foF2 values based on the IRI model. The foF2 values were forecast 1 h in advance by using the Middle East Technical University Neural Network model (METU‐NN) and the work was reported previously. Since then, the METU‐NN has been improved. In this paper, 1 h in advance forecast foF2 values and the calculated foF2 values have been compared with the observed values considering the Slough (51.5°N, 0.6°W), Uppsala (59.8°N, 17.6°E), and Rome (41.8°N, 12.5°E) station foF2 data. The authors have considered the models alternative to each other. The performance results of the models are promising. The METU‐NN foF2 forecast errors are smaller than the calculated foF2 errors. The models may be used in parallel employing the METU‐NN as the primary source for the foF2 forecasting.

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A b s t r a c tThe relationship between stratospheric QBO and the difference (¨NmF2) between NmF2 calculated with IRI-2012 and measured from ionosondes at the Singapore and Ascension stations in the equatorial region was statistically investigated. As statistical analysis, the regression analysis was used on variables. As a result, the relationship between QBO and ¨NmF2 was higher for 24:00 LT (local time) than 12:00 LT. This relationship is positive in the solar maximum epoch for both stations. In the solar minimum epoch, it is negative at 24:00 LT for Ascension and at 12:00 LT for Singapore. Furthermore, it was seen that the relationship of the ¨NmF2 with both the easterly and westerly QBO was negative for all solar epochs and every LT, at Ascension station. This relationship was only positive for solar maximum epoch and 12:00 LT, at Singapore station.

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