1. Observations and Modeling of Strong Thermospheric Winds at High Latitudes and Their Impact on the Lower Thermosphere.
- Author
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Barreto‐Schuler, Christian W., Shepherd, Gordon G., Chen, Yongsheng, and Shepherd, Marianna G.
- Subjects
THERMOSPHERIC winds ,ATMOSPHERIC circulation ,GEOMAGNETISM ,CONVECTION (Meteorology) - Abstract
A strong westward wind pattern at altitudes of ∼140–250 km at high latitudes (∼65°) in the approximate longitude range of 100°E–200°E in the Southern Hemisphere, and from 200°E to 300°E in the Northern Hemisphere, known as a "wind wall," is investigated. Simulations from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension (WACCM‐X) and the Global Airglow (GLOW) model, along with Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) observations, allowed the description of most of the wind wall features. The results indicate that the wind wall is linked to the well‐known high‐latitude wind convection pattern. This atmospheric circulation is significantly stronger during active geomagnetic conditions, where its dusk anticyclonic circulation cell is also enhanced, which results in the origin of the wind wall. The study also reveals the impacts of the wind wall on the vertical velocity and its consequences for the O(1S) green line emission on the lower thermosphere, as well as its influence on the atomic oxygen depletion at high latitudes, which is mainly a response to the complex high‐latitude wind convection pattern and its spatial and temporal variation. Key Points: Strong thermospheric westward winds at polar regions, known as a wind wall, are associated with the high‐latitude convection patternThe wind wall pattern has its origin in the active geomagnetic conditionsOver the lower thermosphere, the wind wall leads to perturbations on the vertical winds, the O(1S) emission rates, and the atomic oxygen [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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