Localized total electron content enhancements in the Southern Hemisphere

This paper is dedicated to the investigation of localized TEC (total electron content) enhancements (LTEs), which were detected in the Southern Hemisphere via the analysis of global ionospheric maps. Using data from different years (2014, 2015 and 2018), we show the presence of LTEs almost independently of solar activity. We also show that LTEs are a phenomenon that can be observed in serial: at the same universal time (UT), similar enhancement can manifest themselves over several days. The intensity of LTEs varies depending on the solar flux and does not directly depend on the interplanetary magnetic field orientation; these events occur under both geomagnetically disturbed and quiet conditions. The highest LTE occurrence rate was observed during the period of local winter (April–September) in all years analyzed. The longest observed LTE series was detected during 2014 and lasted 80 d – or 120 d if we exclude two daily gaps.