Effect of the IMF azimuthal component on the longitudinal position of the westward electrojet intensity maximum during strong geomagnetic storms

The distribution of the ionospheric currents during the geomagnetic storms of November 20–21, 2003, November 7–8, 2004, and November 9–10, 2004, depending on the IMF B y component, has been studied based on the data from the global network of magnetic stations. It has been indicated that, during geomagnetic disturbances, the westward electrojet intensity maximum is localized in the evening sector at IMF B y 0. The region of the westward electrojet intensity maximum shifts to morning hours with increasing positive B y values. Thus, the IMF azimuthal component forms not only the magnetospheric convection pattern during magnetic storms but is also responsible for the longitudinal position of ionospheric structures.