Latitudinal variation of F-region ionospheric response during three strongest geomagnetic storms of 2015

<p>The latitudinal ionospheric response of the three strongest geomagnetic storms of 2015 of the current solar cycle 24 during 16\textendash19 March 2015, 21\textendash24 June 2015 and 19\textendash22 December 2015 is investigated using the total electron content data derived from a latitudinal chain of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers extending from 70\textdegreeN to 70\textdegreeS. The storm time perturbations of the ionosphere during main and recovery phase is presented by the GPS derived vertical total electron content (VTEC) data which is further supported by ionospheric F region critical frequency (foF2) and F region peak height (hmF2) data. We observed symmetrical hemispheric response of the ionosphere during the strongest 17th March (St. Patrick\textquoterights Day) storm whereas asymmetrical hemispheric response of the ionosphere during 22nd June and 20th December storm over the Asian-Australian sector. The observations are explained by the combined transport of background inter-hemispheric seasonal wind and storm time disturbed meridional wind and by the global thermospheric compositional variation [O/N₂] data.</p>