Global Gravity Wave Variances from Aura MLS: Characteristics and Interpretation

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 3695-3718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong L. Wu ◽  
Stephen D. Eckermann
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Global Gravity ◽  
Local Background ◽  
Dimensional Weighting ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract The gravity wave (GW)–resolving capabilities of 118-GHz saturated thermal radiances acquired throughout the stratosphere by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Aura satellite are investigated and initial results presented. Because the saturated (optically thick) radiances resolve GW perturbations from a given altitude at different horizontal locations, variances are evaluated at 12 pressure altitudes between ∼21 and 51 km using the 40 saturated radiances found at the bottom of each limb scan. Forward modeling simulations show that these variances are controlled mostly by GWs with vertical wavelengths λz > 5 km and horizontal along-track wavelengths of λy ∼ 100–200 km. The tilted cigar-shaped three-dimensional weighting functions yield highly selective responses to GWs of high intrinsic frequency that propagate toward the instrument. The latter property is used to infer the net meridional component of GW propagation by differencing the variances acquired from ascending (A) and descending (D) orbits. Because of improved vertical resolution and sensitivity, Aura MLS GW variances are ∼5–8 times larger than those from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) MLS. Like UARS MLS variances, monthly-mean Aura MLS variances in January and July 2005 are enhanced when local background wind speeds are large, due largely to GW visibility effects. Zonal asymmetries in variance maps reveal enhanced GW activity at high latitudes due to forcing by flow over major mountain ranges and at tropical and subtropical latitudes due to enhanced deep convective generation as inferred from contemporaneous MLS cloud-ice data. At 21–28-km altitude (heights not measured by the UARS MLS), GW variance in the tropics is systematically enhanced and shows clear variations with the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation, in general agreement with GW temperature variances derived from radiosonde, rocketsonde, and limb-scan vertical profiles. GW-induced temperature variances at ∼44-km altitude derived from operational global analysis fields of the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System in August 2006 reveal latitudinal bands of enhanced GW variance and preferred GW meridional propagation directions that are similar to those inferred from the MLS variances, highlighting the potential of MLS GW data for validating the stratospheric GWs simulated and/or parameterized in global models.

scholarly journals Global analysis for periodic variations of gravity wave squared amplitudes and momentum fluxes in the middle atmosphere

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Chen ◽  
Cornelia Strube ◽  
Manfred Ern ◽  
Peter Preusse ◽  
Martin Riese
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Absolute Gravity ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Oblique Propagation

Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) are an important coupling mechanism in the middle atmosphere. For instance, they provide a large part of the driving of long-period atmospheric oscillations such as the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and the semiannual oscillation (SAO) and are in turn modulated. They also induce the wind reversal in the mesosphere – lower thermosphere region (MLT) and the residual mean circulation at these altitudes. In this study, the variations of monthly zonal mean gravity wave square temperature amplitudes (GWSTA) and, for a first time, absolute gravity wave momentum flux (GWMF) on different time scales such as the annual, semiannual, terannual and quasi-biennial variations are investigated by spectrally analyzing SABER observations from 2002 to 2015. Latitude-altitude cross sections of spectral amplitudes and phases of GWSTA and absolute GWMF in stratosphere and mesosphere are presented and physically interpreted. It is shown that the time series of GWSTA/GWMF at a certain altitude and latitude results from the complex interplay of GW sources, propagation through and filtering in lower altitudes, oblique propagation superposing GWs from different source locations and, finally, the modulation of the GW spectrum by the winds at a considered altitude and latitude. The strongest component is the annual variation, dominated on the summer hemisphere by subtropical convective sources, and on the winter hemisphere by polar vortex dynamics. At heights of the wind reversal also a 180° phase shift occurs, which is at different altitudes for GWSTA and GWMF. In the intermediate latitudes a semi-annual variation (SAV) is found. Dedicated GW modeling is used to investigate the nature of this SAV, which is a different phenomenon from the tropical SAO also seen in the data. In the tropics a stratospheric and a mesospheric QBO are found, which are, as expected, in anti-phase. Indication for a QBO influence is also found at higher latitudes. In previous studies a terannual variation (TAV) was identified. In the current study we explain its origin. In particular the observed patterns for the shorter periods, SAV and TAV, can only be explained by poleward propagation of GWs from the lower stratosphere subtropics into the mid and high latitude mesosphere. In this way, critical wind filtering in the lowermost stratosphere is avoided and this oblique propagation hence is likely an important factor for MLT dynamics.

scholarly journals The Seasonal Cycle of Gravity Wave Drag in the Middle Atmosphere

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 4664-4679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Pulido ◽  
John Thuburn
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wave Drag ◽  
Smooth Transition ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Summer Hemisphere ◽  
Jet Streaks ◽  
Biennial Oscillation

Abstract Using a variational technique, middle atmosphere gravity wave drag (GWD) is estimated from Met Office middle atmosphere analyses for the year 2002. The technique employs an adjoint model of a middle atmosphere dynamical model to minimize a cost function that measures the differences between the model state and observations. The control variables are solely the horizontal components of GWD; therefore, the minimization determines the optimal estimate of the drag. For each month, Met Office analyses are taken as the initial condition for the first day of the month, and also as observations for each successive day. In this way a three-dimensional GWD field is obtained for the entire year with a temporal resolution of 1 day. GWD shows a pronounced seasonal cycle. During solstices, there are deceleration regions of the polar jet centered at about 63° latitude in the winter hemisphere, with a peak of 49 m s−1 day−1 at 0.24 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere; the summer hemisphere also shows a deceleration region but much weaker, with a peak of 24 m s−1 day−1 centered at 45° latitude and 0.6 hPa. During equinoxes GWD is weak and exhibits a smooth transition between the winter and summer situation. The height and latitude of the deceleration center in both winter and summer hemispheres appear to be constant. Important longitudinal dependencies in GWD are found that are related to planetary wave activity; GWD intensifies in the exit region of jet streaks. In the lower tropical stratosphere, the estimated GWD shows a westward GWD descending together with the westward phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation. Above, GWD exhibits a semiannual pattern that is approximately out of phase with the semiannual oscillation in the zonal wind. Furthermore, a descending GWD pattern is found at those heights, similar in magnitude and sign to that in the lower stratosphere.

scholarly journals Gravity wave variances and propagation derived from AIRS radiances

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1701-1720 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gong ◽  
D. L. Wu ◽  
S. D. Eckermann
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Satellite Orbits ◽  
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Cross Track

Abstract. As the first gravity wave (GW) climatology study using nadir-viewing infrared sounders, 50 Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) radiance channels are selected to estimate GW variances at pressure levels between 2–100 hPa. The GW variance for each scan in the cross-track direction is derived from radiance perturbations in the scan, independently of adjacent scans along the orbit. Since the scanning swaths are perpendicular to the satellite orbits, which are inclined meridionally at most latitudes, the zonal component of GW propagation can be inferred by differencing the variances derived between the westmost and the eastmost viewing angles. Consistent with previous GW studies using various satellite instruments, monthly mean AIRS variance shows large enhancements over meridionally oriented mountain ranges as well as some islands at winter hemisphere high latitudes. Enhanced wave activities are also found above tropical deep convective regions. GWs prefer to propagate westward above mountain ranges, and eastward above deep convection. AIRS 90 field-of-views (FOVs), ranging from +48° to −48° off nadir, can detect large-amplitude GWs with a phase velocity propagating preferentially at steep angles (e.g., those from orographic and convective sources). The annual cycle dominates the GW variances and the preferred propagation directions for all latitudes. Indication of a weak two-year variation in the tropics is found, which is presumably related to the Quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). AIRS geometry makes its out-tracks capable of detecting GWs with vertical wavelengths substantially shorter than the thickness of instrument weighting functions. The novel discovery of AIRS capability of observing shallow inertia GWs will expand the potential of satellite GW remote sensing and provide further constraints on the GW drag parameterization schemes in the general circulation models (GCMs).

An Indirect Effect of Ice Nuclei on Atmospheric Radiation

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiping Zeng ◽  
Wei-Kuo Tao ◽  
Minghua Zhang ◽  
Arthur Y. Hou ◽  
Shaocheng Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Radiative Flux ◽  
Middle Latitudes ◽  
Ice Nuclei ◽  
Cloud Resolving Model ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Cloud Ice ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract A three-dimensional cloud-resolving model (CRM) with observed large-scale forcing is used to study how ice nuclei (IN) affect the net radiative flux at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). In all the numerical experiments carried out, the cloud ice content in the upper troposphere increases with IN number concentration via the Bergeron process. As a result, the upward solar flux at the TOA increases whereas the infrared one decreases. Because of the opposite response of the two fluxes to IN concentration, the sensitivity of the net radiative flux at the TOA to IN concentration varies from one case to another. Six tropical and three midlatitudinal field campaigns provide data to model the effect of IN on radiation in different latitudes. Classifying the CRM simulations into tropical and midlatitudinal and then comparing the two types reveals that the indirect effect of IN on radiation is greater in the middle latitudes than in the tropics. Furthermore, comparisons between model results and observations suggest that observational IN data are necessary to evaluate long-term CRM simulations.

scholarly journals Global analysis for periodic variations in gravity wave squared amplitudes and momentum fluxes in the middle atmosphere

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Chen ◽  
Cornelia Strube ◽  
Manfred Ern ◽  
Peter Preusse ◽  
Martin Riese
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Absolute Gravity ◽  
Coupling Mechanism ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Oblique Propagation

Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) are an important coupling mechanism in the middle atmosphere. For instance, they provide a large part of the driving of long-period atmospheric oscillations such as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the semiannual oscillation (SAO) and are in turn modulated. They also induce the wind reversal in the mesosphere–lower thermosphere region (MLT) and the residual mean circulation at these altitudes. In this study, the variations in monthly zonal mean gravity wave square temperature amplitudes (GWSTAs) and, for the first time, absolute gravity wave momentum flux (GWMF) on different timescales such as the annual, semiannual, terannual and quasi-biennial variations are investigated by spectrally analyzing SABER observations from 2002 to 2015. Latitude–altitude cross sections of spectral amplitudes and phases of GWSTA and absolute GWMF in the stratosphere and mesosphere are presented and physically interpreted. It is shown that the time series of GWSTA and GWMF at a certain altitude and latitude results from the complex interplay of GW sources, propagation through and filtering in lower altitudes, oblique propagation superposing GWs from different source locations, and, finally, the modulation of the GW spectrum by the winds at a considered altitude and latitude. The strongest component is the annual variation, dominated in the summer hemisphere by subtropical convective sources and in the winter hemisphere by polar vortex dynamics. At heights of the wind reversal, a 180∘ phase shift also occurs, which is at different altitudes for GWSTA and GWMF. In the intermediate latitudes a semiannual variation (SAV) is found. Dedicated GW modeling is used to investigate the nature of this SAV, which is a different phenomenon from the tropical SAO also seen in the data. In the tropics a stratospheric and a mesospheric QBO are found, which are, as expected, in antiphase. Indication for a QBO influence is also found at higher latitudes. In previous studies a terannual variation (TAV) was identified. In the current study we explain its origin. In particular the observed patterns for the shorter periods, SAV and TAV, can only be explained by poleward propagation of GWs from the lower-stratosphere subtropics into the midlatitude and high-latitude mesosphere. In this way, critical wind filtering in the lowermost stratosphere is avoided and this oblique propagation is hence likely an important factor for MLT dynamics.

scholarly journals Driving of the SAO by gravity waves as observed from satellite

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ern ◽  
P. Preusse ◽  
M. Riese
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Critical Level ◽  
Wave Drag ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Wave Forcing ◽  
Momentum Budget ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. It is known that atmospheric dynamics in the tropical stratosphere have an influence on higher altitudes and latitudes as well as on surface weather and climate. In the tropics, the dynamics are governed by an interplay of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and semiannual oscillation (SAO) of the zonal wind. The QBO is dominant in the lower and middle stratosphere, and the SAO in the upper stratosphere/lower mesosphere. For both QBO and SAO the driving by atmospheric waves plays an important role. In particular, the role of gravity waves is still not well understood. In our study we use observations of the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) satellite instrument to derive gravity wave momentum fluxes and gravity wave drag in order to investigate the interaction of gravity waves with the SAO. These observations are compared with the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Usually, QBO westward winds are much stronger than QBO eastward winds. Therefore, mainly gravity waves with westward-directed phase speeds are filtered out through critical-level filtering already below the stratopause region. Accordingly, HIRDLS observations show that gravity waves contribute to the SAO momentum budget mainly during eastward wind shear, and not much during westward wind shear. These findings confirm theoretical expectations and are qualitatively in good agreement with ERA-Interim and other modeling studies. In ERA-Interim most of the westward SAO driving is due to planetary waves, likely of extratropical origin. Still, we find in both observations and ERA-Interim that sometimes westward-propagating gravity waves may contribute to the westward driving of the SAO. Four characteristic cases of atmospheric background conditions are identified. The forcings of the SAO in these cases are discussed in detail, supported by gravity wave spectra observed by HIRDLS. In particular, we find that the gravity wave forcing of the SAO cannot be explained by critical-level filtering alone; gravity wave saturation without critical levels being reached is also important.

scholarly journals GRAVITY-WAVE DETECTORS AS PROBES OF EXTRA DIMENSIONS

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 2347-2353 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRIS CLARKSON ◽  
ROY MAARTENS
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
String Theory ◽  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Extra Dimensions ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Observable Universe ◽  
Dimensional Spacetime ◽  
Higher Dimensional

If string theory is correct, then our observable universe may be a three-dimensional "brane" embedded in a higher-dimensional spacetime. This theoretical scenario should be tested via the state-of-the-art in gravitational experiments — the current and upcoming gravity-wave detectors. Indeed, the existence of extra dimensions leads to oscillations that leave a spectroscopic signature in the gravity-wave signal from black holes. The detectors that have been designed to confirm Einstein's prediction of gravity waves, can in principle also provide tests and constraints on string theory.

scholarly journals A global analysis of the atmospheric pollutant modeling

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Umberto Rizza ◽  
Jonas C. Carvalho ◽  
Davidson M. Moreira ◽  
Marcelo R. Moraes ◽  
Antônio G. Goulart
Keyword(s):  
Global Analysis ◽  
Turbulent Transport ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Lagrangian Model ◽  
Linear Superposition ◽  
Atmospheric Pollutant ◽  
Advection Diffusion Equation ◽  
Laplace Transform Technique ◽  
The Laplace Transform

In this article is carried out a comparison between Lagrangian and Eulerian modelling of the turbulent transport of pollutants within the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). The Lagrangian model is based on a three-dimensional form of the Langevin equation for the random velocity. The Eulerian analytical model is based on a discretization of the PBL in N sub-layers; in each of the sub-layers the advection-diffusion equation is solved by the Laplace transform technique. In the Eulerian numerical model the advective terms are solved using the cubic spline method while a Crank-Nicholson scheme is used for the diffusive terms. The models use a turbulence parameterization that considers a spectrum model, which is given by a linear superposition of the buoyancy and mechanical effects. Observed ground-level concentrations measured in a dispersion field experiment are used to evaluate the simulations.

scholarly journals Analysis of a rapid increase of stratospheric ozone during late austral summer 2008 over Kerguelen (49.4° S, 70.3° E)

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bencherif ◽  
L. El Amraoui ◽  
G. Kirgis ◽  
J. Leclair De Bellevue ◽  
A. Hauchecorne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Austral Summer ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Global Mapping ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract. This paper reports on an increase of ozone event observed over Kerguelen (49.4° S, 70.3° E) in relationship with large-scale isentropic transport. This is evidenced by ground-based observations (co-localised radiosonde and SAOZ experiments) together with satellite global observations (Aura/MLS) assimilated into MOCAGE, a Méteo-France model. The study is based on the analyses of the first ozonesonde experiment never recorded at the Kerguelen site within the framework of a French campaign called ROCK that took place from April to August 2008. Comparisons and interpretations of the observed event are supported by co-localised SAOZ observations, by global mapping of tracers (O3, N2O and columns of O3) from Aura/MLS and Aura/OMI experiments, and by model simulations of Ertel Potential Vorticity initialised by the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) data reanalyses. Satellite and ground-based observational data revealed a consistent increase of ozone in the local stratosphere by mid-April 2008. Additionally, Ozone (O3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) profiles obtained during January–May 2008 using the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard the Aura satellite are assimilated into MOCAGE (MOdèle de Chimie Atmosphérique à Grande Echelle), a global three-dimensional chemistry transport model of Météo-France. The assimilated total O3 values are consistent with SAOZ ground observations (within ±5%), and isentropic distributions of O3 match well with maps of advected potential vorticity (APV) derived from the MIMOSA model, a high-resolution advection transport model, and from the ECMWF reanalysis. The event studied seems to be related to the isentropic transport of air masses that took place simultaneously in the lower- and middle-stratosphere, respectively from the polar region and from the tropics to the mid-latitudes. In fact, the ozone increase observed by mid April 2008 resulted simultaneously: (1) from an equator-ward departure of polar air masses characterised with a high-ozone layer in the lower stratosphere (near the 475 K isentropic level), and (2) from a reverse isentropic transport from the tropics to mid- and high-latitudes in the upper stratosphere (nearby the 700 K level). The increase of ozone observed over Kerguelen from the 16-April ozonesonde profile is thus attributed to a concomitant isentropic transport of ozone in two stratospheric layers: the tropical air moving southward and reaching over Kerguelen in the upper stratosphere, and the polar air passing over the same area but in the lower stratosphere.

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