In the ionospheric F region at equatorial latitudes, the strength of the zonal electric field in the evening hours is closely connected with the generation of equatorial spread F and plasma bubbles. Many researchers discuss the electric fields and dynamics of the ionosphere in terms of the time derivative of F layer virtual heights (dh'F/dt) scaled on the ionograms, and this paper examines the accuracy of zonal electric fields derived by such a method. Although the effect of transequatorial thermospheric wind had been thought to be negligible, model calculations of ion concentration show that this wind significantly changes ionospheric height in the evening hours. Further, the electric field strength is estimated based on observed dh'F/dt, considering the apparent vertical drift of the ionosphere due to the thermospheric wind effect. Rayleigh-Taylor growth rates calculated for those electric fields agree quantitatively with the spread F occurrence. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996