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What Is the Source of the Stratospheric Gravity Wave Belt in Austral Winter?

Authors :
Hendricks, Eric A.
Doyle, James D.
Eckermann, Stephen D.
Jiang, Qingfang
Reinecke, P. Alex
Source :
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; May2014, Vol. 71 Issue 5, p1583-1592, 10p, 4 Graphs, 2 Maps
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

During austral winter, and away from orographic maxima or 'hot spots,' stratospheric gravity waves in both satellite observations and Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data reveal enhanced amplitudes in a broad midlatitude belt extending across the Southern Ocean from east of the Andes to south of New Zealand. The peak latitude of this feature slowly migrates poleward from 50° to 60°S. Wave amplitudes are much weaker across the midlatitude Pacific Ocean. These features of the wave field are in striking agreement with diagnostics of baroclinic growth rates in the troposphere associated with midlatitude winter storm tracks and the climatology of the midlatitude jet. This correlation suggests that these features of the stratospheric gravity wave field are controlled by geographical variations of tropospheric nonorographic gravity wave sources in winter storm tracks: spontaneous adjustment emission from the midlatitude winter jet, frontogenesis, and convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00224928
Volume :
71
Issue :
5
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
95774210
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-13-0332.1