Very large perturbations in the thermosphere and ionosphere are induced by motions driven by heating and by electric fields in the auroral electrojet regions. Winds carry these effects to all latitudes. Because of this, thermospheric models have terms associated with magnetic activity. The Kp and Ap indices have usually been employed; however, these are poorly correlated with the temporal variations. Initial experiments are described with new indices based on the auroral electrojet indices of magnetic activity that are more directly related to the energy driving functions. The new indices are based on the time-weighted average of the auroral electrojet indices over a period rather than on instantaneous values. Comparisons are made with the 3-hour ap index for high-latitude atomic oxygen densities under disturbed conditions. Conclusions are drawn on the problems are promise of the approach.