European heliospheric forecasting information asset 2.0
This project aims at developing the world’s most advanced space weather forecasting tool. EUHFORIA 2.0 will address geoeffectiveness, impacts and mitigation, including extreme events, related to solar eruptions, solar wind streams and Solar Energetic Particles, with particular emphasis on its application to forecast Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) and radiation on geospace. We will apply innovative methods and state-of-the-art numerical techniques to extend the recent heliospheric solar wind and CME propagation model EUHFORIA with two integrated key facilities that are crucial for improving its predictive power and reliability, namely 1) data-driven flux-rope CME models, and 2) physics-based, self-consistent SEP models for the acceleration and transport of particles along the magnetic field lines. This involves novel coupling of advanced space weather models. In addition, after validating the upgraded EUHFORIA/SEP model it will be coupled to existing models for geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) and atmospheric radiation transport models. This will result in a reliable prediction tool for radiation hazards from SEP events, affecting astronauts and passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft, as well as the impact of space weather events on power grid infrastructure and telecommunication and navigation satellites. Finally, this innovative tool will be integrated in the both in the Virtual Space Weather Modeling Centre (ESA) and the space weather forecasting procedures at the ESA SSCC in Uccle, so that it will be available to the space weather community and effectively used for improved predictions and forecasts of the evolution of CME magnetic structures and their impact on Earth.

The project provides a unique opportunity for Europe to take a leading role in space weather forecasting and to protect its modern technologies and infrastructures both in space and on ground.