Continuous Advancements in Space Weather Monitoring and Forecasting in Taiwan

Since 2015, the Space Weather Operational Office (SWOO) of the Central Weather Administration (CWA) has been responsible for providing localized space weather information and forecasts. Due to Taiwan’s location near the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA), rapid plasma variations frequently impact satellite communications and navigation systems. To address these challenges, CWA has expanded its team and established a professional division of labor, separating Research and Development (R&D) from Operations and Forecasting (O&F) to ensure high-quality operational services. Currently, CWA utilizes a data-assimilated ionosphere-thermosphere coupled model for daily operations. This system integrates the TIE-GCM 1.95 model with the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) framework, incorporating ground-based GNSS and FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 observations to provide 6-hour forecasts. Additionally, new products are being developed to support the growing space research and industry, including a Global Ionospheric Specification (GIS) product providing a top-down view of the Northern Hemisphere from the North Pole developed by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and customized orbital forecasts for neutral atmospheric density. Finally, the CWA is pleased to announce that it will co-host the Asia Oceania Space Weather Alliance (AOSWA) Workshop with the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) in Taiwan this November. We sincerely welcome all opportunities for international cooperation and look forward to strengthening global partnerships in space weather research and operation.