A modeling study of the responses of mesosphere and lower thermosphere winds to geomagnetic storms at middle latitudes

In the early phase of the storm, middle-latitude upper thermospheric wind changes are greater and occur earlier than MLT wind changes. The horizontal wind changes cause downward vertical wind changes, which are transmitted to the MLT region.

Adiabatic heating and heat advection associated with downward vertical winds cause MLT temperature increases. The pressure gradient produced by these temperature changes and the Coriolis force then drive strong equatorward meridional wind changes at night, which expand toward lower latitudes. Momentum advection is minor.