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Joule heating is one of the main energy inputs into the thermosphere‐ionosphere system. Precise modeling of this process is essential for any space weather application. Existing thermosphere‐ionosphere models tend to underestimate the actual Joule heating rate quite significantly. The Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General‐Circulation‐Model applies an empirical scaling factor of 1.5 for compensation. We calculate vertical profiles of Joule heating rates from approximately 2,220 hr of measurements with the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar and the corresponding model runs. We investigate model runs with the plasma convection driven by both the Heelis and the Weimer model. The required scaling of the Joule heating profiles is determined with respect to the Kp index, the Kan‐Lee merging electric field EKL, and the magnetic local time. Though the default scaling factor of 1.5 appears to be adequate on average, we find that the required scaling varies strongly with all three parameters ranging from 0.46 to ∼20 at geomagnetically disturbed and quiet times, respectively. Furthermore, the required scaling is significantly different in runs driven by the Heelis and Weimer model. Adjusting the scaling factor with respect to the Kp index, EKL, the magnetic local time, and the choice of convection model would reduce the difference between Joule heating rates calculated from measurement and model plasma parameters. Plain Language Summary: The vast majority of the energy input to the Earth system originates from the sun. This includes the absorption of various types of radiation, for example, ultraviolet radiation in the ozone layer or visible light and infrared radiation at the surface. In the upper atmosphere above about 80 km altitude, the absorption of extreme ultraviolet radiation and soft X‐rays plays a major role. However, other processes also contribute significantly to the heating of this region, for example, the energy dissipation in the form of electric currents flowing along electric fields, also known as Joule heating. Joule heating is highly variable and can be drastically enhanced especially during solar storms, which can have potentially disastrous effects on satellites. Accurate modeling, and therefore also prediction, of Joule heating is not possible at the moment since thermosphere‐ionosphere models have to scale the Joule heating empirically to fit the actual values. We investigate how the required scaling changes under different geophysical conditions. Key Points: The constant Joule heating scaling factor in TIE‐GCM is inadequate to compensate for the underestimation under various geomagnetic conditionsJoule heating rates calculated from 2,220 hr of EISCAT measurements are compared to TIE‐GCM runs driven with the Heelis and Weimer convection modelsThe required scaling factor varies significantly with the Kp index, the Kan‐Lee merging electric field, and the magnetic local time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The media interest/coverage of space weather has been increasing as we approach solar maximum and the private space industry has grown significantly since the last significant solar maximum in 2000–2002. It is not uncommon for space weather media coverage to use hyperbole with frequent references to the infamous "Carrington event." The implications of associating each of the many upcoming moderate‐to‐severe storms with the Carrington event are discussed, and we encourage the curbing of hyperbole whenever possible. While there is an excellent but small cohort of space weather researchers actively engaging with the media, we urge more (particularly early‐to‐mid career) to take advantage of media training resources and to join in. We also call for these efforts to be broadly supported by peers and institutions for the benefit of space weather as a discipline. Key Points: Solar maximum is approaching, and so are opportunities to publicize space weather in popular mediaPublic interest in space weather increases with space weather activitySpace weather researchers are encouraged to engage with the media and to prepare by taking advantage of media training resources [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the Earth's sporadic‐E (Es) layer vertical motion is investigated by using an image processing technique for automatic scaling ionograms from Mohe (122.37°E, 53.50°N, dip angle 71°), Beijing (116.25°E, 40.25°N, dip angle 59°), Wuhan (114.61°E, 30.53°N, dip angle 46°) and Fuke (109.13°E, 19.52°N, dip angle 27°). Es traces descend with different periodicities, indicating tidal modulation to Es layers. Comparing winds from a combination of the Ionospheric Connection Explorer/Michelson Interferometer for Global High‐Resolution Thermospheric Imaging and meteor radar measurements with Es layers, we find that Es traces at high altitudes (above 110 km) rapidly move down in accordance with the descent of the wind shear nulls, which indicates the important role of the tides in the formation and descent of the Es layer at high altitude. The lower‐lying Es layers, however, do not descend with the wind shear null, but stay at the bottom of the E region (∼100 km) for a long time, which cannot be explained by tidal wind shear theory. In addition, the time duration of the Es layers staying at low latitudes increases with the decreasing latitude. Simulation results demonstrate that the low altitude tailing Es layer is dominated by the dramatically enhanced collision frequency at the lower height of the mesosphere and the lower thermosphere region. Plain Language Summary: Sporadic‐E (Es) layers are stochastic ionospheric plasma irregularities at ionospheric E region, which can significantly affect the propagation of radio waves in the ionosphere, hence are of particular interest for modern electronic systems such as HF/VHF communication systems, skywave over‐the‐horizon radars, and shortwave electronic reconnaissance/localization systems. The intensity and occurrence of Es layers exhibits complex variations in space and time, depending on the nature of atmospheric, solar and geomagnetic activities. Because of the highly complex behavior of the Es layer, the prediction of its occurrence has been one of the most difficult issues in space weather forecast. In this study, the image processing technique is used to investigate the vertical motion of the Es layer at different latitudes. Observational results demonstrate that the Es formation and movement at high altitudes are controlled by tides with different periods. However, at low altitudes, Es layers descend at a slow speed and stay at low altitudes for a long time. Observation and simulation results show that the formation of Es layers at higher altitude (above 110 km) is ascribed to the traditional wind shear theory, while the lower‐lying Es traces lasting for a long time is controlled by the dramatically enhanced collision frequency. Key Points: Michelson Interferometer for Global High‐Resolution Thermospheric Imaging/Ionospheric Connection Explorer and meteor radar measurements are combined to study the relationship between sporadic‐E (Es) layer and wind shearThe time duration of the Es layer staying at lower altitudes increases with decreasing latitudeSimulation driven by winds from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension model reproduces the tailing Es layer at the bottom of the E region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Jennifer Gannon passed away suddenly on 2024 May 2 in Greenbelt, MD. Dr. Gannon had served as an editor for the Space Weather journal since April 2019, and she was the longest‐serving editor on the current board, having started under the previous editor‐in‐chief, Dr. Delores Knipp. Key Points: Memorial for Jennifer L. Gannon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monthly mean sunspot number has been larger in June–July 2023 than the double peak of solar cycle 24 (146 in February 2014 and 139 in November 2011) and brings us back to the sunspot level of solar cycle 23. However, the number of rocket launches, satellites in orbit and private space companies has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. Additionally, there is a growing interest for space exploration beyond Earth's orbit, to the Moon and beyond, which comes with higher risk of being affected by space weather. Here, we discuss some of these trends and the role of the journal to improve awareness of space weather impacts. Key Points: Sunspot number is now as high as it has been for over 20 yearsThe space industry has changed significantly since 2002Awareness of intense space weather needs to increase [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is also crucial to investigate the details of the severe space weather phenomena that occurred in the past from the literature and records for considering countermeasures against future space weather disasters. Special issue "Solar-terrestrial environment prediction: toward the synergy of science and forecasting operation of space weather and space climate" The scale of space weather events and their occurrence rate in Japan was surveyed by Ishii et al. ([6]), in which the information for the space weather disaster defense was assembled. The space environmental variability (widely called "space weather") can influence the electromagnetic environment around the earth and human life. [Extracted from the article]

The next decadal survey process for space and solar physics will start soon with white papers due during the second half of 2022 and the committees and panels working over all of 2023. Space weather science and operations will play an essential role in this survey. Therefore, the community is invited to prepare white papers and get involved in advancing space weather research and capabilities in the upcoming decades. A summary of the recommendations related to space weather from the last two decadal surveys is also provided. Key Points: Space weather will play a central role in the 2024 decadal surveyA summary of the recommendations from 2003 to 2013 decadal surveys are providedScientists, operators, and end‐users are encouraged to submit white papers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer review remains one of the most important service activities for scientists. Through the time‐consuming process of peer review, community volunteers set the bar for the quality of science that is shared with each other and with the world. Attentive, patient, and critical review is required to maintain rigorous and accurate scientific reporting. Reviewers donate their time and effort with little incentive outside of the knowledge that they are contributing to sustain scientific rigor. Space Weather is fortunate to be able to continually rely on our reviewers to maintain a journal that receives and publishes high‐quality, high‐impact articles. We recognize the time, effort, and dedication each review requires. For this, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our 2018 reviewers. We sincerely appreciate your choice to respond positively to our review requests. Last year, Space Weather received 785 peer reviews from 354 individuals. The reviewers who contributed three or more reviews are recognized in italics below. Thank you all for your contributions in 2018. Key Points: Peer review remains one of the most important service activities for scientists [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manuscripts based on machine‐learning techniques have significantly increased in Space Weather over the past few years. We discuss which manuscripts are within the journal's scope and emphasize that manuscripts focusing purely on a forecasting technique (rather than on understanding and forecasting a phenomenon) must correspond to a substantial improvement over the current state‐of‐the‐art techniques and present this comparison. All manuscripts shall include information about data preparation, including splitting of data between training, validation and testing sets. The software and/or algorithms used for to develop the machine‐learning technique should be included in a repository at the time of submission. Comparison with published results using other methods must be presented, and uncertainties of the forecast results must be discussed. Plain Language Summary: Manuscripts based on machine‐learning techniques have significantly increased in Space Weather over the past few years. We discuss which manuscripts are within the journal's scope and emphasize that manuscripts focusing purely on a forecasting technique (rather than on understanding and forecasting a phenomenon) must correspond to a substantial improvement over the current state‐of‐the‐art techniques and present this comparison. All manuscripts shall include information about data preparation, including splitting of data between training, validation and testing sets. The software and/or algorithms used for to develop the machine‐learning technique should be included in a repository at the time of submission. Comparison with published results using other methods must be presented, and uncertainties of the forecast results must be discussed. Key Points: Manuscripts based on machine‐learning techniques have significantly increased in Space Weather over the past few yearsWe discuss which manuscripts are within the journal's scopeWe emphasize that papers focusing on a forecasting technique must present a substantial improvement and comparison over current techniques [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]