Changes in the GNSS precise point positioning accuracy during a strong geomagnetic storm

Based on the data from dual-frequency receivers of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), we analyze the changes in GNSS positioning accuracy during the August 25-26, 2018 strong geomagnetic storm on a global scale. The storm is one of the strongest geomagnetic events of the solar cycle 24. To analyze the positioning quality, we calculated coordinates using the precise point positioning (PPP) method in the kinematic mode. We recorder a significant degradation in the PPP positioning accuracy during the main phase of the storm. The maximum effect is observed in the middle and high latitudes of the US-Atlantic longitude sector. The average PPP error during the storm is shown to exceed ~0.5 m, that is up to 5 times higher than the values typical on quiet days. Areas with increased PPP errors is revealed to correspond to the regions with significant increase in the intensity of total electron content variations of 10–20 min period range. This increase is presumably due to the auroral oval expansion toward middle latitudes.