Geomagnetic D_st index forecast based on IMF data only

Abstract. In the past years several operational D_st forecasting algorithms, based on both IMF and solar wind plasma parameters, have been developed and used. We describe an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm which calculates the D_st index on the basis of IMF data only and discuss its performance for several individual storms. Moreover, we briefly comment on the physical grounds which allow the D_st forecasting based on IMF only.