All Physics Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
28
Issue
9
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Publication Date
5-2001
First Page
1903
Last Page
1906
Abstract
Northern hemisphere planetary waves are strong in the winter and weak in the summer, and they go through a fast transition around equinox. This transition is studied here using NCAR Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere‐Electrodynamics general circulation model (TIME‐GCM) simulations with 1997 National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) analysis. The planetary wave variability during the transition and its effect on the temperature and winds in the mesosphere are examined. The simulated planetary wave structure agrees with climatological studies, and the fast transition of the planetary waves is captured by the model. The wave variability produces large temperature changes in the upper atmosphere above local stations in middle and high latitudes. The qualitative behavior of the model is in excellent agreement with recent observations of a major perturbation in OH mesospheric temperatures from Ft. Collins (Taylor et al., 2001), although the smaller calculated magnitude suggests that the planetary wave amplitude might be underestimated by the model.
Recommended Citation
Liu, H.-L., R.G. Roble, Taylor, M.J. and W.R. Pendleton, Jr., Mesospheric planetary waves at northern hemisphere fall equinox, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 1903, 2001.
Comments
Published by the American Geophysical Union in Geophysical Research Letters.
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2001/2000GL012689.shtml
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