scholarly journals Observations of in-situ generated gravity waves during a stratospheric temperature enhancement (STE) event

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 11913-11917 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Gerrard ◽  
Y. Bhattacharya ◽  
J. P. Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Background Wind ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Stratospheric Temperature ◽  
Wave Parameters ◽  
Phase Progression ◽  
Temperature Enhancement ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. Evidence for in situ generated atmospheric gravity waves associated with a stratospheric temperature enhancement (STE) are presented. The signatures of two sets of gravity waves are observed by molecular-aerosol lidar in conjunction with the early December 2000 STE event above Sondrestrom, Greenland. The first set of gravity waves shows downward phase progression with a vertical wavelength of ~8 km while the second set shows upward phase progression with a vertical wavelength of ~9 km. With estimates of the background wind fields from synoptic analyses, the various intrinsic gravity wave parameters of these two wave structures are found. The observed wave features compare well to previous numerical modeling predictions.

scholarly journals Observations of in-situ generated gravity waves during a stratospheric temperature enhancement (STE) event

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 14221-14232
Author(s):  
A. J. Gerrard ◽  
Y. Bhattacharya ◽  
J. P. Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Background Wind ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Stratospheric Temperature ◽  
Wave Parameters ◽  
Phase Progression ◽  
Temperature Enhancement ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. Observations of in-situ generated atmospheric gravity waves associated with a stratospheric temperature enhancement (STE) are presented. Two sets of gravity waves are observed by molecular-aerosol lidar in conjunction with the early December 2000 STE event above Sondrestrom, Greenland. The first set of gravity waves shows downward phase progression with a vertical wavelength of ~8 km while the second set shows upward phase progression with a vertical wavelength of ~9 km. With estimates of the background wind fields from synoptic analyses, the various intrinsic gravity wave parameters of these two wave structures are found. The observed waves compare well to numerical modeling predictions, though the potential observation of a downward propagating wave would be unexpected.

scholarly journals Impact of Satellite Winds on Marine Wind Simulations

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Perrie ◽  
Weiqing Zhang ◽  
Mark Bourassa ◽  
Hui Shen ◽  
Paris W. Vachon
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Optimum Combination ◽  
Background Wind ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Input Field ◽  
Spatial Derivatives ◽  
Environmental Prediction ◽  
Background Input

Abstract A variational data assimilation method is applied to remotely sensed wind data from Hurricanes Gustav (2002) and Isabel (2003) to produce enhanced marine wind estimates. The variational method utilizes constraints to ensure that an optimum combination of winds is determined, in the sense of minimization of a cost function measuring the misfit between observations and background input field data and constraining nongeophysical features in the spatial derivatives. Constraints are multiplied by weights, which are objectively determined by cross validation. Verification is obtained by comparison with available operational in situ buoy observations and analyses winds. It is shown that the newly constructed midlatitude wind fields represent an improvement relative to background wind field estimates and also relative to Quick Scatterometer–National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis blended winds, and that the new winds have an impact on simulations of waves and upper-ocean currents.

scholarly journals Simultaneous lidar observations of temperatures and waves in the polar middle atmosphere on both sides of the Scandinavian mountains: a case study on 19/20 January 2003

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 969-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Blum ◽  
K. H. Fricke ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
A. Schöch
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Mountain Ridge ◽  
Induced Gravity ◽  
Simultaneous Measurements ◽  
Wave Patterns ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves have been the subject of intense research for several decades because of their extensive effects on the atmospheric circulation and the temperature structure. The U. Bonn lidar at the Esrange and the ALOMAR RMR lidar at the Andøya Rocket Range are located in northern Scandinavia 250 km apart on either side of the Scandinavian mountain ridge. During January and February 2003 both lidar systems conducted measurements and retrieved atmospheric temperatures. On 19/20 January 2003 simultaneous measurements for more than 7 h were possible. Although during most of the campaign time the atmosphere was not transparent for the propagation of orographically induced gravity waves, they could propagate and were observed at both lidar stations during these simultaneous measurements. The wave patterns at ALOMAR show a random distribution with time whereas at the Esrange a persistency in the wave patterns is observable. This persistency can also be found in the distribution of the most powerful vertical wavelengths. The mode values are both at about 5 km vertical wavelength, however the distributions are quite different, narrow at the Esrange containing values from λz=2–6 km and broad at ALOMAR, covering λz=1–12 km vertical wavelength. At both stations the waves deposit energy in the atmosphere with increasing altitude, which leads to a decrease of the observed gravity wave potential energy density with altitude. These measurements show unambigiously orographically induced gravity waves on both sides of the mountains as well as a clear difference of the characteristics of these waves, which might be caused by different excitation and propagation conditions on either side of the Scandinavian mountain ridge.

scholarly journals Studies on atmospheric gravity wave activity in the troposphere and lower stratosphere over a tropical station at Gadanki

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 3237-3260 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Subba Reddy ◽  
D. Narayana Rao ◽  
A. Narendra Babu ◽  
M. Venkat Ratnam ◽  
P. Kishore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Wave Activity ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity Wave ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. MST radars are powerful tools to study the mesosphere, stratosphere and troposphere and have made considerable contributions to the studies of the dynamics of the upper, middle and lower atmosphere. Atmospheric gravity waves play a significant role in controlling middle and upper atmospheric dynamics. To date, frontal systems, convection, wind shear and topography have been thought to be the sources of gravity waves in the troposphere. All these studies pointed out that it is very essential to understand the generation, propagation and climatology of gravity waves. In this regard, several campaigns using Indian MST Radar observations have been carried out to explore the gravity wave activity over Gadanki in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere. The signatures of the gravity waves in the wind fields have been studied in four seasons viz., summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. The large wind fluctuations were more prominent above 10 km during the summer and monsoon seasons. The wave periods are ranging from 10 min-175 min. The power spectral densities of gravity waves are found to be maximum in the stratospheric region. The vertical wavelength and the propagation direction of gravity waves were determined using hodograph analysis. The results show both down ward and upward propagating waves with a maximum vertical wave length of 3.3 km. The gravity wave associated momentum fluxes show that long period gravity waves carry more momentum flux than the short period waves and this is presented.

scholarly journals Formation of Multilayered Sporadic E under an Influence of Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs)

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 653
Author(s):  
Goderdzi G. Didebulidze ◽  
Giorgi Dalakishvili ◽  
Maya Todua
Keyword(s):  
Phase Velocity ◽  
Wind Velocity ◽  
Drift Velocity ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Metallic Ions ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Vertical Drift ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

The formation of multilayered sporadic E by atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs), propagating in the mid-latitude lower thermosphere, is shown theoretically and numerically. AGWs with a vertical wavelength smaller than the width of the lower thermosphere lead to the appearance of vertical drift velocity nodes (regions where the ions’ vertical drift velocity, caused by these waves, is zero) of heavy metallic ions (Fe+). The distance between the nearest nodes is close to the AGWs’ vertical wavelength. When the divergence of the ion vertical drift velocity at its nodes has a minimal negative value, then these charged particles can accumulate into Es-type thin layers and the formation of multilayered sporadic E is possible. We showed the importance of the ions’ ambipolar diffusion in the formation of Es layers and control of their densities. Oblique downward or upward propagation of AGWs causes downward or upward motion of the ion vertical drift velocity nodes by the vertical propagation phase velocity of these waves. In this case, the formed Es layers also descend or move upward with the same phase velocity. The condition, when the horizontal component of AGWs’ intrinsic phase velocity (phase velocity relative to the wind) and background wind velocity have same magnitudes but opposite directions, is favorable for the formation of the multilayered sporadic E at fixed heights of the sublayers. When the AGWs are absent, then horizontal homogeneous wind causes the formation of sporadic E but with a single peak. In the framework of the suggested theory, it is shown that, in the lower thermosphere, the wind direction, magnitude, and shear determine the development of the processes of ion/electron convergence into the Es-type layer, as well as their density divergence. Consideration of arbitrary height profiles of the meridional and zonal components of the horizontal wind velocity, in case of AGW propagation, should be important for the investigation of the distribution and behavior of heavy metallic ions on regional and global scales.

Atmospheric Gravity Waves in ADM-Aeolus Wind Lidar Observations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Banyard ◽  
Corwin Wright ◽  
Neil Hindley ◽  
Gemma Halloran ◽  
Isabell Krisch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Phase Structure ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Wind Lidar ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity ◽  
Lidar Observations

<p><span>As the first Doppler wind lidar in space, ADM-Aeolus provides us with a unique opportunity to study the propagation of gravity waves (GWs) from the surface to the tropopause and UTLS. Existing space-based measurements of GWs in this altitude range are spatially limited and, where available, use temperature as a proxy for wind perturbations. Thus, space-borne wind lidars such as Aeolus have the potential to transform our understanding of these critically-important dynamical processes. Here, we present the first observations of GWs in Aeolus data. We analyse a case study of a large orographic GW over the Southern Andes in July 2019 which is clearly visible in the horizontal wind. This example demonstrates the capability of Aeolus to measure the phase structure of GWs from near the surface up into the stratosphere. We validate these results against temperature-based observations from the AIRS nadir sounder and CORAL lidar, and also against ERA5 wind and temperature. There is close agreement in phase structure between Aeolus and the validation datasets, and with a near-identical observed vertical wavelength and spatial location. This case study suggests that data from Aeolus, and similar next-generation space-borne wind lidars, could play a critical role in constraining future model GW parameterisations, with the potential to significantly broaden our understanding of atmospheric dynamics.</span></p>

Response of GPS occultation signals to atmospheric gravity waves and retrieval of gravity wave parameters

GPS Solutions ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.A. Liou ◽  
A.G. Pavelyev ◽  
J. Wickert ◽  
C.Y. Huang ◽  
S.K. Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity Waves ◽  
Wave Parameters ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity ◽  
Gps Occultation

scholarly journals Simultaneous lidar observations of temperatures and waves in the polar middle atmosphere on the east and west side of the Scandinavian mountains: a case study on 19/20 January 2003

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Blum ◽  
K. H. Fricke ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
A. Schöch
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
West Side ◽  
Simultaneous Measurements ◽  
Wave Patterns ◽  
East And West ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity

Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves have been the subject of intense research for several decades because of their extensive effects on the atmospheric circulation and the temperature structure. The U. Bonn lidar at the Esrange and the ALOMAR RMR lidar at the Andøya Rocket Range are located in northern Scandinavia 250 km apart on the east and west side of the Scandinavian mountain ridge. During January and February 2003 both lidar systems conducted measurements and retrieved atmospheric temperatures. On 19/20 January 2003 simultaneous measurements for more than 7 h were possible. Although during most of the campaign time the atmosphere was not transparent for the propagation of orographically induced gravity waves, they were nevertheless observed at both lidar stations with considerable amplitudes during these simultaneous measurements. And while the source of the observed waves cannot be determined unambiguously, the observations show many characteristics of orographically excited gravity waves. The wave patterns at ALOMAR show a random distribution with time whereas at the Esrange a persistency in the wave patterns is observable. This persistency can also be found in the distribution of the most powerful vertical wavelengths. The mode values are both at about 5 km vertical wavelength, however the distributions are quite different, narrow at the Esrange with values from λz=2–6 km and broad at ALOMAR, covering λz=1–12 km vertical wavelength. In particular the difference between the observations at ALOMAR and at the Esrange can be understood by different orographic conditions while the propagation conditions were quite similar. At both stations the waves deposit energy in the atmosphere with increasing altitude, which leads to a decrease of the observed gravity wave potential energy density with altitude. The meteorological situation during these measurements was different from common winter situations. The ground winds were mostly northerlies, changed in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere to westerlies and returned to northerlies in the middle stratosphere.

scholarly journals Short-period mesospheric gravity waves and their sources at the South Pole

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 911-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhvanit Mehta ◽  
Andrew J. Gerrard ◽  
Yusuke Ebihara ◽  
Allan T. Weatherwax ◽  
Louis J. Lanzerotti
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Baroclinic Instability ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Background Wind ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Characteristics

Abstract. The sourcing locations and mechanisms for short-period, upward-propagating gravity waves at high polar latitudes remain largely unknown. Using all-sky imager data from the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, we determine the spatial and temporal characteristics of 94 observed small-scale waves in 3 austral winter months in 2003 and 2004. These data, together with background atmospheres from synoptic and/or climatological empirical models, are used to model gravity wave propagation from the polar mesosphere to each wave's source using a ray-tracing model. Our results provide a compelling case that a significant proportion of the observed waves are launched in several discrete layers in the tropopause and/or stratosphere. Analyses of synoptic geopotentials and temperatures indicate that wave formation is a result of baroclinic instability processes in the stratosphere and the interaction of planetary waves with the background wind fields in the tropopause. These results are significant for defining the influences of the polar vortex on the production of these small-scale, upward-propagating gravity waves at the highest polar latitudes.

scholarly journals Mesospheric gravity waves and their sources at the South Pole

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhvanit Mehta ◽  
Andrew J. Gerrard ◽  
Yusuke Ebihara ◽  
Allan T. Weatherwax ◽  
Louis J. Lanzerotti
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Baroclinic Instability ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
South Pole ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Characteristics

Abstract. The sourcing locations and mechanisms for short period, long vertical wavelength upward-propagating gravity waves at high polar latitudes remain largely unknown. Using all-sky imager data from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station we determine the spatial and temporal characteristics of 94 observed small-scale waves in three austral winter months in 2003 and 2004. These data, together with background atmospheres from synoptic and/or climatological empirical models, are used to model gravity wave propagation from the polar mesosphere to each wave's source using a ray-tracing model. Our results provide a compelling case that a significant proportion of the observed waves are launched in several discrete layers in the tropopause and/or stratosphere. Analyses of synoptic geopotentials and temperatures indicate that wave formation is a result of baroclinic instability processes in the stratosphere and the interaction of planetary waves with the background wind fields in the tropopause. These results are significant for defining the influences of the polar vortex on the production of these small-scale, upward propagating gravity waves at the highest polar latitudes.

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