High-latitude thermospheric wind observations and simulations with SuperDARN data driven NCAR TIEGCM during the December 2006 magnetic storm

The December 2006 geomagnetic storm event was simulated with the SDP ion convection pattern and two other existing input options (Heelis and Weimer convection models). The high-latitude thermospheric wind simulated with SDP showed very good agreement with the Fabry-Perot interferometer thermospheric wind data inside the polar cap at Resolute, Canada (74.7°N, 94.8°W, magnetic latitude 84).

The Heelis model overestimated the winds during the storm event, because the model does not consider the cross polar cap potential saturation at high global geomagnetic index (Kp) values. The Weimer model provides a better performance than the Heelis model in this case. However, it has a larger discrepancy compared to the SDP results.