Impacts of Neutral Wind-Driven Currents on Geomagnetic Disturbances and Magnetospheric Dynamics During the May 2024 Storm

The neutral wind dynamo generates ionospheric currents that can significantly affect high-latitude electrodynamics during geomagnetic storms, yet its role in global magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling is often underrepresented. We quantify the impact of wind-driven currents on geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs) and magnetospheric dynamics during the 10-11 May 2024 storm using simulations with the Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere Model and the Space Weather Modeling Framework. During the storm main phase, mid-latitude GMDs are dominated by magnetospheric forcing, including the ring current. In contrast, wind-driven currents produce delayed, spatially structured GMDs that become important during the recovery phase. They often oppose magnetospheric-driven disturbances and locally may exceed ring current effects at mid-latitudes, particularly near the auroral boundary. At high latitudes, wind-driven field-aligned currents (FACs, ) are generated with polarity opposite to the nominal Region 1 and 2 distributions. extends equatorward of the auroral oval and persists after the magnetospheric forcing weakens, consistent with the thermospheric "flywheel" response. Inclusion of also modifies global electrodynamic and magnetospheric dynamics, including the cross-polar cap potential (CPCP), hemispherically integrated FACs, magnetotail configuration, and Dst index. Cross-polar cap potential and FACs are altered by similar to 10%-20% during the main phase and up to similar to 30% during recovery, while Dst was modified by similar to 8% on average during storm recovery phase. These results show that wind-driven currents are essential for accurately and dynamically capturing GMDs and magnetospheric response in geospace couplings.