Temporal and spatial gradients in the ionosphere caused by passing space weather event (e.g. a coronal mass ejection), can endanger communication and navigation satellite systems. The timely information to GNSS users can help mitigating threads due to space weather events. Therefore, an Early Warning message for GNSS users has been developed at the DLR within the FP7-Project AFFECTS. It provides information on forecasted Earth endangering space weather events and their potential impact up to two days ahead. The warning message is distributed via the web. Moreover, interested users can subscribe for an email-notification.
The lead time of the warning message is long, but also the uncertainties in arrival time and event strength are large. Therefore, this warning message will be complemented by additional information of subsequent warning messages. The aim is to build a multi-level ionospheric warning system providing ionospheric information and forecasts as early and precise as possible.
Currently, a second warning message is added to the system, distributing forecast of ionospheric disturbances around thirty minutes before the arrival of a space weather event (e.g. a coronal mass ejection) at Earth. It provides more specific information like exact arrival time, forecasts of geomagnetic indices, approximate electron density perturbation and range error for the European region.