The Day‐To‐Day Variability of the Dayside Equatorial Ionospheric Plasma Drifts and Neutral Winds Observed by ICON

Abstract In this study, we utilize ICON observations from 2019 to 2022 to analyze the variability of vertical plasma drift and its relationship with the neutral winds. The results reveal that there are 19% of downward plasma drifts at 13–17 LT, which changes with seasons and longitudes. The downward plasma drift occurs less frequently compared to the contemporaneous counter electrojet during solstices. We identify the relationship between vertical plasma drifts and north foot magnetic zonal and meridional wind profiles at 90–300 km altitudes. As the vertical plasma drifts become small or downward, the zonal winds display diverse variations at the altitudes; that is, the disturbances are eastward at 95–120 km altitudes, westward at 120–160 km altitudes, and eastward above 180 km altitudes, while the meridional winds present weak changes in all altitudes. Additionally, we discuss the possible roles of the E‐ and F‐region dynamos on the vertical plasma drifts.