Comparison between IRI-2001 predictions and observed measurements of hmF2 over three high latitude stations during different solar activity periods

A top to bottom evaluation of IRI 2007 within the polar cap

“…All three options overestimate winter and equinox nighttime hmF 2 by approximately 10%, producing a less obvious semi‐annual variation. These observations are consistent with the observations of Oyeyemi et al [] and Magdaleno et al [] at their Sondrestrom (66.98°N, 309.06°E) and College (69.9°N, 212.2°E) stations.…”

“…This study undertakes a thorough evaluation of key IRI parameters including F 2 peak electron density (NmF 2 ), F2 peak height (hmF 2 ), M(3000)F 2 propagation factor, bottomside thickness (B0), and topside thickness. There have been several studies that have evaluated the performance of IRI hmF 2 and NmF 2 products in midlatitude and low-latitude regions [Sethi et al, 2008;Ehinlafa et al, 2010;Ezquer et al, 2011;Bilitza et al, 2012;Wichaipanich et al, 2012], but only a select few have attempted to do so in high-latitude regions [Oyeyemi et al, 2010;Ezquer et al, 2011;Magdaleno et al, 2011;Maltseva et al, 2013], none of which have been within the polar cap or at magnetic latitudes as high as what we shall be considering in this study. The performance of the IRI bottomside thickness models has been evaluated mainly in equatorial and midlatitude regions [Sethi and Mahajan, 2002;Blanch et al, 2007;Adeniyi et al, 2008;McKinnell et al, 2009;Lee and Reinisch, 2012], where virtually no evaluation has been undertaken at high latitudes.…”

Global median model of the F2-layer peak height based on ionospheric radio-occultation and ground-based Digisonde observations

“…The IRI equation to convert M(3000)F2 to h m F2 is true under assumption that ionospheric electron concentration height-dependency is parabolic, though it is not always a good approximation. The recent research shows the significant deviations of the h m F2 model-predicted from the values obtained by Digisondes under different conditions Obrou et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2004Zhang et al, , 2007Lee et al, 2008;Sethi et al, 2008;Ehinlafa et al, 2010;Oyeyemi et al, 2010;Magdaleno et al, 2011).…”

Comparison of peak height of the F2-layer (hmF2) measurements with IRI-2012, IRI-2007 and IRI-2001 models predictions above Roquetes station (Spain) during the ascending phase of the solar cycle 24

“…However, the IRI-2007 model overestimated and underestimated the hmF2 value during different months for all the solar activity periods. Oyeyemi et al (2010) analyzed the monthly median values of the height of peak electron density of the F2-layer (hmF2) derived from ionosonde measurements at three high latitude stations, namely Narssarssuaq (NAR) (2007). The results showed that generally, the IRI-predicted hmF2 values using CCIR M (3000) F2 option shows a poor agreement with the experimental results, but there was a relatively good agreement in Summer at low solar activity.…”