Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010acpd...1023197d&link_type=abstract
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, Volume 10, Issue 10, 2010, pp.23197-23227
Physics
2
Scientific paper
The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Aura satellite has been used to measure temperatures in the stratosphere, mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The data used here are from August 2004 to June 2010 and latitudes 75° S to 75° N. The temperature data reveal the persistent presence of a westward propagating 16-day planetary wave with zonal wavenumber 1. The wave amplitude maximises in winter in the stratosphere and MLT at middle to high latitudes, where monthly-mean amplitudes can be as large as ~8 K. Significant wave amplitudes are observed in the summer-time MLT and at lower stratospheric heights of up to ~20 km at middle to high latitudes. Wave amplitudes in the Northern Hemisphere approach values twice as large as those in the Southern Hemisphere. Wave amplitudes are also closely related to climatological zonal winds and are largest in regions of strongest eastward flow. There is a~reduction in wave amplitudes at the stratopause. No significant wave amplitude is observed near the equator or in the strongly westward background winds of the atmosphere in summer. This behaviour is interpreted as a consequence of wave/mean-flow interactions. It has been suggested that the summer-time 16-day wave in the MLT is ducted across the equator from the winter hemisphere and that this ducting is modulated by the equatorial Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) in the westerly phase. Here we observe that the QBO modulates the 16-day wave in the polar summer-time MLT in the Northern Hemisphere as previously observed, but this modulation is not seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
Day K. A.
Hibbins Robert E.
Mitchell Nick J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Aura MLS observations of the westward-propagating s=1, 16-day planetary wave in the middle atmosphere: climatology and cross-equatorial propagation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Aura MLS observations of the westward-propagating s=1, 16-day planetary wave in the middle atmosphere: climatology and cross-equatorial propagation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Aura MLS observations of the westward-propagating s=1, 16-day planetary wave in the middle atmosphere: climatology and cross-equatorial propagation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1402539