On Some Challenges for National and Global Space Weather Services

Abstract

Space Weather (SW) hazards are discussed in terms of the operation of national SW services and global SW centers for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The definition of threshold values of monitored parameters which are used to identify moderate and severe SW events is one of the critical problems. Due to the lack of both physical data on severe events and user feedback, we tried to approach the problem statistically. In particular, we pursued the answer to the question about what intensity of ionospheric storms and flare effects should be reported by national and global SW entities to their users. We also discussed the possible role of an active region on the Sun, and the cosmic rays’ issues that may be helpful regarding SW operational work. The presented considerations are based on examples of the ionosphere state assessment for the low-latitude American sector with a focus on the Mexican region. This work attempts to argue the possible approaches to resolve the tasks that the SW national services and global centers face.