scholarly journals NLC and the background atmosphere above ALOMAR

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 5641-5679 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fiedler ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
U. Berger ◽  
P. Hoffmann ◽  
N. Kaifler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Local Times ◽  
Atmospheric Tides ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Mf Radar

Abstract. Noctilucent clouds (NLC) have been measured by the Rayleigh/Mie/Raman-lidar at the ALOMAR research facility in Northern Norway (69° N, 16° E). From 1997 to 2010 NLC were detected during more than 1850 h on 440 different days. Colocated MF-radar measurements and calculations with the Leibniz-Institute Middle Atmosphere (LIMA-) model are used to characterize the background atmosphere. Temperatures as well as horizontal winds at 83 km altitude show distinct differences during NLC compared to the absence of NLC. On seasonal mean it is colder and the winds are stronger westward when NLC are detected. The wind separation is a robust feature as it shows up in measurements as well as in model and it is consistent with the current understanding that lower temperatures support the existence of ice particles. For the whole 14-years data set there is no statistically significant relation between NLC occurrence and solar activity. On the other hand NLC occurrence and temperatures at 83 km show a significant anti-correlation, which suggests that the thermal state plays a major role for the existence of ice particles and dominates the pure Lyman-α influence on water vapor during certain years. We find the seasonal mean NLC altitudes to be correlated to both Lyman-α radiation and temperature. NLC above ALOMAR are strongly influenced by atmospheric tides. Diurnal and semidiurnal amplitudes and phases show partly pronounced year-to-year variations. In general, amplitudes as well as phases vary in a different manner. Amplitudes change by a factor of more than 3 and phases vary by up to 7 h. Such variability can impact NLC observations limited to fixed local times.

scholarly journals NLC and the background atmosphere above ALOMAR

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5701-5717 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fiedler ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
U. Berger ◽  
P. Hoffmann ◽  
N. Kaifler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diurnal Cycle ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Atmospheric Tides ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Cloud Water Content ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Mf Radar

Abstract. Noctilucent clouds (NLC) have been measured by the Rayleigh/Mie/Raman-lidar at the ALOMAR research facility in Northern Norway (69° N, 16° E). From 1997 to 2010 NLC were detected during more than 1850 h on 440 different days. Colocated MF-radar measurements and calculations with the Leibniz-Institute Middle Atmosphere (LIMA-) model are used to characterize the background atmosphere. Temperatures as well as horizontal winds at 83 km altitude show distinct differences during NLC observations compared to when NLC are absent. The seasonally averaged temperature is lower and the winds are stronger westward when NLC are detected. The wind separation is a robust feature as it shows up in measurements as well as in model results and it is consistent with the current understanding that lower temperatures support the existence of ice particles. For the whole 14-year data set there is no statistically significant relation between NLC occurrence and solar Lyman-α radiation. On the other hand NLC occurrence and temperatures at 83 km show a significant anti-correlation, which suggests that the thermal state plays a major role for the existence of ice particles and dominates the pure Lyman-α influence on water vapor during certain years. We find the seasonal mean NLC altitudes to be correlated to both Lyman-α radiation and temperature. NLC above ALOMAR are strongly influenced by atmospheric tides. The cloud water content varies by a factor of 2.8 over the diurnal cycle. Diurnal and semidiurnal amplitudes and phases show some pronounced year-to-year variations. In general, amplitudes as well as phases vary in a different manner. Amplitudes change by a factor of more than 3 and phases vary by up to 7 h. Such variability could impact long-term NLC observations which do not cover the full diurnal cycle.

scholarly journals Polar middle atmosphere temperature climatology from Rayleigh lidar measurements at ALOMAR (69° N)

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1681-1698 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Schöch ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
J. Fiedler
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Lidar Data ◽  
Temperature Profiles ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Falling Sphere ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Atmosphere Temperature ◽  
Rayleigh Lidar

Abstract. Rayleigh lidar temperature profiles have been derived in the polar middle atmosphere from 834 measurements with the ALOMAR Rayleigh/Mie/Raman lidar (69.3° N, 16.0° E) in the years 1997–2005. Since our instrument is able to operate under full daylight conditions, the unique data set presented here extends over the entire year and covers the altitude region 30 km–85 km in winter and 30 km–65 km in summer. Comparisons of our lidar data set to reference atmospheres and ECMWF analyses show agreement within a few Kelvin in summer but in winter higher temperatures below 55 km and lower temperatures above by as much as 25 K, due likely to superior resolution of stratospheric warming and associated mesospheric cooling events. We also present a temperature climatology for the entire lower and middle atmosphere at 69° N obtained from a combination of lidar measurements, falling sphere measurements and ECMWF analyses. Day to day temperature variability in the lidar data is found to be largest in winter and smallest in summer.

scholarly journals Mean diurnal variations of noctilucent clouds during 7 years of lidar observations at ALOMAR

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1175-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fiedler ◽  
G. Baumgarten ◽  
G. von Cossart
Keyword(s):  
Threshold Value ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Occurrence Frequency ◽  
Local Times ◽  
Atmospheric Tides ◽  
Noctilucent Clouds ◽  
Backscatter Coefficient ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cloud Parameters ◽  
Time Dependencies

Abstract. From 1997 to 2003, noctilucent clouds (NLC) were observed by lidar above the ALOMAR observatory in Northern Norway (69° N) during a total of 1880 measurement hours. This data set contains NLC signatures for 640h, covering all local times, even during the highest solar background conditions. After data limitation imposing a threshold value of 4x10-10m-1sr-1 for the volume backscatter coefficient of the NLC particles, a measure for the cloud brightness, local time dependencies of the NLC occurrence frequency, altitude, and brightness were determined. On average, over the 7 years NLC occurred during the whole day and preferably in the early morning hours, with a maximum occurrence frequency of ~40% between 4 and 7 LT. Splitting the data into weak and strong clouds yields almost identical amplitudes of diurnal and semidiurnal variations for the occurrence of weak clouds, whereas the strong clouds are dominated by the diurnal variation. NLC occurrence, altitude, as well as brightness, show a remarkable persistence concerning diurnal and semidiurnal variations from 1997 to 2003, suggesting that NLC above ALOMAR are significantly controlled by atmospheric tides. The observed mean anti-phase behavior between cloud altitude and brightness is attributed to a phase shift between the semidiurnal components by ~6h. Investigation of data for each individual year regarding the prevailing oscillation periods of the NLC parameters showed different phase relationships, leading to a complex variability in the cloud parameters.

scholarly journals Strengths and limitations of MST radar measurements of middle-atmosphere winds

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1111-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. K. Hocking
Keyword(s):  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mst Radar ◽  
Wave Effects ◽  
E Region ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Mf Radar

Abstract. Radars have been used successfully for many years to measure atmospheric motions over a wide range of altitudes, from ground level up to heights of several hundred kilometres into the ionosphere. In this paper we particularly wish to concentrate on the accuracy of these measurements for winds in the middle atmosphere (i.e. 10–100-km altitude). We begin by briefly reviewing the literature relating to comparisons between radar methods and other techniques. We demonstrate where the radar data are most and least reliable and then, in parallel with a discussion about the basic principles of the method, discuss why these different regimes have the different accuracies and precisions they do. This discussion is used to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of radar methods. Issues like radar volume, aspect sensitivity, gravity wave effects and scatterer intermittency in producing wind biases, and the degree by which the intermittent generation of scatterers at quasi-random points in space could skew the radar measurements, are all considered. We also investigate the possibility that MF radar techniques can be contaminated by E-region scatter to heights as low as 92–95-km altitude (i.e. up to 8–10 km below the ionospheric peak echo). Within all these comments, however, we also recognize that radar methods still represent powerful techniques which have an important future at all levels of the atmosphere.

scholarly journals Spectral characteristics of spring arctic mesosphere dynamics

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1607-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Hall ◽  
A. H. Manson ◽  
C. E. Meek
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Turbulent Energy ◽  
Energy Dissipation Rate ◽  
Spectral Signature ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Waves And Tides ◽  
Signal Fading ◽  
Mf Radar

Abstract. The spring of 1997 has represented a stable period of operation for the joint University of Tromsø / University of Saskatchewan MF radar, being between refurbishment and upgrades. We examine the horizontal winds from the February to June inclusive and also include estimates of energy dissipation rates derived from signal fading times and presented as upper limits on the turbulent energy dissipation rate, ε. Here we address the periodicity in the dynamics of the upper mesosphere for time scales from hours to one month. Thus, we are able to examine the changes in the spectral signature of the mesospheric dynamics during the transition from winter to summer states.Key words. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; turbulence; waves and tides).

scholarly journals Assimilation of HF radar surface currents to optimize forcing in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 659-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Marmain ◽  
A. Molcard ◽  
P. Forget ◽  
A. Barth ◽  
Y. Ourmières
Keyword(s):  
Surface Wind ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Open Boundary ◽  
Coastal Current ◽  
Surface Currents ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Northwestern Mediterranean

Abstract. HF radar measurements are used to optimize surface wind forcing and baroclinic open boundary condition forcing in order to constrain model coastal surface currents. This method is applied to a northwestern Mediterranean (NWM) regional primitive equation model configuration. A new radar data set, provided by two radars deployed in the Toulon area (France), is used. To our knowledge, this is the first time that radar measurements of the NWM Sea are assimilated into a circulation model. Special attention has been paid to the improvement of the model coastal current in terms of speed and position. The data assimilation method uses an ensemble Kalman smoother to optimize forcing in order to improve the model trajectory. Twin experiments are initially performed to evaluate the method skills. Real measurements are then fed into the circulation model and significant improvements to the modeled surface currents, when compared to observations, are obtained.

scholarly journals Diagnostic and prognostic simulations with a full Stokes model accounting for superimposed ice of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Zwinger ◽  
J. C. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Free Surface ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Steady State Solution ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Surface Evolution ◽  
Steady State Model ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract. We present steady state (diagnostic) and transient (prognostic) simulations of Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard performed with the thermo-mechanically coupled full-Stokes code Elmer. This glacier has an extensive data set of geophysical measurements available spanning several decades, that allow for constraints on model descriptions. Consistent with this data set, we included a simple model accounting for the formation of superimposed ice. Diagnostic results indicated that a dynamic adaptation of the free surface is necessary, to prevent non-physically high velocities in a region of under determined bedrock depths. Observations from ground penetrating radar of the basal thermal state agree very well with model predictions, while the dip angles of isochrones in radar data also match reasonably well with modelled isochrones, despite the numerical deficiencies of estimating ages with a steady state model. Prognostic runs for 53 years, using a constant accumulation/ablation pattern starting from the steady state solution obtained from the configuration of the 1977 DEM show that: 1 the unrealistic velocities in the under determined parts of the DEM quickly damp out; 2 the free surface evolution matches well measured elevation changes; 3 the retreat of the glacier under this scenario continues with the glacier tongue in a projection to 2030 being situated ≈500 m behind the position in 1977.

scholarly journals The diurnal and semidiurnal tides over Ascension Island (8° S, 14° W) and their interaction with the stratospheric QBO: studies with meteor radar, eCMAM and WACCM

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 4785-4837 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Davis ◽  
J. Du ◽  
A. K. Smith ◽  
W. E. Ward ◽  
N. J. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Atmospheric Tides ◽  
Meteor Radar ◽  
Vertical Wavelength ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Meridional Component ◽  
Ascension Island ◽  
Good For

Abstract. Horizontal winds in the mesosphere have been measured over Ascension Island (8° S, 14° W) in the tropical mid-Atlantic region throughout the years 2002–2011. The observations were made by a VHF meteor radar. The results reveal the presence of atmospheric tides of large amplitude. The results are analysed to characterise the seasonal and interannual variability of the diurnal and semidiurnal tides. Monthly-mean diurnal tidal amplitudes are found to reach values as large as 48 m s−1 in the meridional component and 41 m s−1 in the zonal. A semiannual seasonal variation is found in diurnal-tidal amplitudes with amplitude maxima at the equinoxes and amplitude minima at the solstices. Diurnal tidal meridional vertical wavelengths are generally in the range 24–30 km. The diurnal zonal vertical wavelengths are similar to the meridional, except for the winter months when the zonal vertical wavelengths are much longer, occasionally exceeding 100 km. Semidiurnal amplitudes are observed to be significantly smaller than diurnal amplitudes. Semidiurnal vertical wavelengths range from 20 to more than 100 km. Our observations of tidal amplitudes and phases are compared with the predictions of the extended Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (eCMAM) and the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). Both eCMAM and WACCM reproduce the trend for greater diurnal amplitudes in the meridional component than the zonal. However, in winter eCMAM tends to over-estimate meridional amplitudes, while WACCM under-estimates zonal and meridional amplitudes. Semidiurnal amplitude predictions are generally good for both models. Vertical wavelength predictions are also generally good for both models, however eCMAM predicts shorter zonal vertical wavelengths than observed for the diurnal tide in winter, while WACCM predicts longer zonal semidiurnal vertical wavelengths than observed for most months. It is found that larger-than-average diurnal and semidiurnal tidal amplitudes occur when the stratospheric QBO at 10 hPa is eastwards, and smaller-than-average amplitudes occur when it is westwards. However, the precise mechanism for this modulation of tidal amplitudes by the stratospheric QBO remains unclear.

scholarly journals Evolution of surface deformation related to salt extraction-caused sinkholes in Solotvyno (Ukraine) revealed by Sentinel-1 radar interferometry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eszter Szűcs ◽  
Sándor Gönczy ◽  
István Bozsó ◽  
László Bányai ◽  
Alexandru Szakacs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Characteristic Size ◽  
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Linear Feature ◽  
Repetition Time ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Radar Measurements

Abstract. Rocksalt has remarkable mechanical properties and a high economic importance, however, this strength of salt compared to other rocks makes it a rather vulnerable material. Human activities could lead to acceleration of the dissolution of soluble rocksalt and collapse of subsurface caverns. Although sinkhole development can be considered local geological disaster regarding the characteristic size of surface depressions the deformations can result in catastrophic events. In this study we report the spatiotemporal evolution of surface deformation in Solotvyno salt mine area in Ukraine based on Sentinel-1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements. Although the mining operations were finished in 2010 several sinkholes have been opened up since then. Our results show that even though the enormous risk managing efforts the sinkholes continue to expand with a maximum line-of-sight deformation rate of 5 cm/yr. The deformation time series show a rather linear feature and unfortunately no slowdown of the processes can be recognized based on the investigated 4.5 year-long data set. We utilized both ascending and descending satellite passes to discriminate the horizontal and vertical deformations and our results revealed that vertical deformation is much more dominant in the area. With the 6-day repetition time of Sentinel-1 observations the evolution of surface changes can be detected in quasi real-time which can facilitate disaster response and recovery.

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