Statistical Study of F‐Region Short Period Ionospheric Disturbances Related to Convection in the Lower Atmosphere Over Wuhan, China

We investigated the relationship between convective activity and F‐region short‐period ionospheric disturbances at middle latitudes from 2018 to 2020. The ionospheric variations were extracted from the total electron content (TEC) data obtained by the BeiDou geostationary orbit receiver in Wuhan, China, while the convective activities were represented by precipitation data from the fifth generation European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA5). Additionally, an ionosonde located in Wuhan, China, was used to study the variation in the sporadic E (Es)‐layer. Seasonal variations in the convective activity and TEC disturbances were studied. It was found that short‐period ionospheric disturbances occurred mainly around summer midnight and around the June solstice. In addition, the correlations between convective activity and the ionosphere have also been studied. A positive correlation between precipitation and short‐period ionospheric disturbances was found. Similarly, precipitation and foEs ${f}_{o}{E}_{s}$ also had a positive correlation. By analyzing the precipitation azimuth and upward propagation of convective gravity waves, we proposed a possible coupling mechanism between the ionosphere and the troposphere, through which convective gravity waves could indirectly affect F‐region short‐period ionospheric disturbances by modulating the Es‐layer. Plain Language Summary The impact of convective activity on the ionosphere has been studied for a long time. However, researchers have mostly focused on the effects of deep convective events on the ionosphere, such as typhoons or tornadoes. Little attention has been given to the effects of seasonal convective variations on ionospheric disturbances. This study used data from ionosonde, BeiDou geostationary orbit total electron content observations, ERA5 wind fields, and precipitation data to reveal the statistical relationships between convective activity and short‐period ionospheric disturbances. Short‐period ionospheric disturbances show a clear seasonal variation, which fits well with the characteristics of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances. We found that disturbances with periods below 50 min have a positive correlation with convective activities. According to our statistics, although short‐period ionospheric disturbances become active with increased convective activity, the relationship between ionospheric disturbances and convective activity was not solely determined by con