Storm induced ionospheric irregularities at the low/equatorial and mid-latitude regions over the Africa-Europe sector during the magnetic storm on March 6–8, 2016

Using data from GNSS networks spanning the European-African sector, the occurrence of ionospheric irregularities induced during the geomagnetic storm of 6–8 March 2016 was studied. During the main phase of the event, strong and unusual mid latitude irregularities were detected at 50°-60°N on the night of March 6, 2016 before midnight and in the early hours of March 7, 2016. At the low latitudes, intense irregularities were observed to coincide with strong amplitude scintillation in the East African sector. The variation in the vertical total electron content had wave structure characteristics similar to that of large scale eastward travelling ionospheric disturbances. The irregularities and scintillation observed at low latitudes during this storm are ascribed to the prompt penetration electric field, which enhances the post-sunset eastward electric field. The intense irregularity structures that were observed at the same time at mid-latitudes are attributed to the northern auroral convection electric field, which extended from the polar cap equatorward to about 50°N during the main phase of the storm. •The turbulence in the ionosphere at the low latitude can always be modified during geomagnetic storms.•The input of extra energy during storms can equally impact on the stability of mid latitude ionospheric regions via polar cap expansion.•This work focuses on low latitude turbulence during geomagnetic storms and the high to mid latitude coupling arising from storm time dynamics.