[Table of Contents]

Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 9, 3406099 (2014)

Regular Articles


A Numerical Framework for Operational Solar Wind Prediction
Ljubomir NIKOLIĆ, Larisa TRICHTCHENKO and David BOTELER
Geomagnetic Laboratory, Natural Resources Canada, 7 Observatory Crescent, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0Y3, Canada
(Received 10 December 2013 / Accepted 17 February 2014 / Published 29 July 2014)

Abstract

We report on the development of numerical components for an operational solar wind prediction framework. In particular, we discuss the coronal magnetic field component based on the potential field source surface and Schatten current sheet models, and the solar wind speed component which uses the empirical Wang-Sheeley-Arge relation between solar wind speed and open magnetic field lines. Using synoptic maps of photospheric fields in a stand-alone operational mode, the components provide the configuration of the global coronal magnetic field and prediction of the solar wind speed at 1AU. A good agreement between numerical prediction and solar wind speed observations has been found.


Keywords

space weather, operational forecast, numerical modelling, solar wind, coronal holes, coronal field

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.9.3406099


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This paper may be cited as follows:

Ljubomir NIKOLIĆ, Larisa TRICHTCHENKO and David BOTELER, Plasma Fusion Res. 9, 3406099 (2014).