Large scale circulation patterns of the stratosphere

On the basis of analyses of the geographical, vertical and annual distribution for the northern hemisphere temperatures, geopotential heights, and winds at stratospheric pressure levels the general circulation patterns of the stratosphere are presented. Special attention is given to the outstanding features of stratospheric midwinter warmings and their variations in time, space, and intensity. The effects of the quasi-biennial oscillation at stratospheric levels are described. Finally some aspects of the observational problems are discussed.