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Abstract The effect of eastward zonal wind speed (EZWS) on vertical drift velocity (E × Bdrift) that mainly controls the equatorial ionospheric irregularities has been explained theoretically and through numerical models. However, its effect on the seasonal and longitudinal variations ofE × Band the accompanying irregularities has not yet been investigated experimentally due to lack ofF‐layer wind speed measurements. Observations of EZWS from GOCE and ion density andE × Bfrom C/NOFS satellites for years 2011 and 2012 during quite times are used in this study. Monthly and longitudinal variations of the irregularity occurrence,E × B, and EZWS show similar patterns. We find that at most 50.85% of longitudinal variations ofE × Bcan be explained by the longitudinal variability of EZWS only. When the EZWS exceeds 150 m/s, the longitudinal variation of EZWS, geomagnetic field strength, and Pedersen conductivity explain 56.40–69.20% of the longitudinal variation ofE × B. In Atlantic, Africa, and Indian sectors, from 42.63% to 79.80% of the monthly variations of theE × Bcan be explained by the monthly variations of EZWS only. It is found also that EZWS andE × Bmay be linearly correlated during fall equinox and December solstice. The peak occurrence of irregularity in the Atlantic sector during November and December is due to the combined effect of large wind speed, solar terminator‐geomagnetic field alignment, and small geomagnetic field strength and Pedersen conductivity. Moreover, during June solstices, small EZWS corresponds to vertically downwardE × B, which suggests that other factors dominate theE × Bdrift rather than the EZWS during these periods.