Characterizing quasi-periodic disturbances in GPS TEC data and their drivers

We examine a large data set (2003-2009) of total electron content (TEC) values derived from a global network of differential GPS receivers that was downloaded from the Madrigal database. We report on TEC oscillations at multiple periods ranging from 5 to ~30 days. A significant portion of oscillations with 9-day and 13.5-day periods is driven by the recurrent geomagnetic activity, as evident from the analysis of geomagnetic indices. The TEC disturbances in response to the recurrent geomagnetic activity are stronger at middle and high latitudes, and are less pronounced at lower latitudes (< 30 degrees). We also observe a correlation between TEC and the 28-day lunar cycle that is more evident at lower (equatorial) latitudes in both northern and southern hemispheres. The TEC disturbances associated with the lunar cycle are well pronounced during the northern hemisphere winter and equinox seasons.