Abstract Equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) pose significant challenges to trans‐ionospheric radio communication and navigation systems. Because of their disruptive effects, evaluating and predicting them is key for the development of space systems. The influence of geomagnetic activity on EPBs remains unclear, partly due to limited low‐latitude neutral wind measurements. Neutral winds drive electric fields and plasma transport, both of which are essential for EPB development. This study addresses this gap using a superposed epoch analysis of key parameters: geomagnetic indices, magnetic zonal and meridional neutral winds, and the index (an indicator of EPB occurrence derived from in situ plasma density measurements). Using data from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer satellite between 2020 and 2022, and focusing on 18:00–23:00 solar local time, our analysis reveals regional differences in EPB behavior. In South America, EPB development is suppressed during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms, whereas this effect is not detected in other longitudinal sectors. We also observe a global westward shift in zonal winds near the peak of geomagnetic disturbances. These findings improve our understanding of EPB dynamics and highlight the regional variability in their response to geomagnetic forcing.
González et al. (Thu,) studied this question.