A simple model for the interhemispheric coupling of the middle atmosphere circulation

The interhemispheric coupling of the middle atmosphere general circulation is characterized by a global anomaly pattern of the zonal-mean temperature. This pattern reflects an anomalous stratospheric and mesospheric residual circulation, in which a weaker (stronger) stratospheric winter circulation is linked to an upward (downward) shift of its upper mesospheric branch reaching from the summer to the winter pole. This phenomenon is robust in observational data and several middle atmosphere general circulation models. In the present study, the recently proposed mechanism of the interhemispheric coupling is unequivocally proven within the framework of a zonally symmetric model that excludes any additional effects due to resolved waves and non-zonally propagating gravity waves. Two simulations are conducted that differ in the strength of the polar vortex. A weaker polar vortex results in a downward shift of the winter mesospheric gravity wave drag. This leads to changes also in the summer upper mesosphere via a feedback solely between gravity wave breaking and the zonal-mean state. The accompanying temperature anomaly reproduces the pattern of the interhemispheric coupling.     

Reduced meteoric smoke particle density at the summer pole – Implications for mesospheric ice particle nucleation

Noctilucent clouds (NLC) and polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) are phenomena that occur in the summertime polar regions due to the presence of ice particles around the mesopause. That ice particles are able to form in a region with such low water vapour concentration as the mesopause is noteworthy. Even though the summer mesopause is the coldest region on Earth, temperatures are generally not low enough for homogeneous nucleation to occur, which necessitates the presence of pre-existing condensation nuclei. The nature of these nuclei has long puzzled the scientific community and many candidates have been suggested, such as particles of meteoric origin, ion clusters, sodium bi-carbonate, sulfate aerosols and soot particles. Out of these the so-called “smoke particles”, i.e. particles re-condensed from ablated meteoritic material, have long been considered the most likely. Generally, it has been believed that these particles exist in numbers of the order of thousands per cubic centimetre at the mesopause. This belief is based on 1-dimensional studies of meteoric material. A recent 2-dimensional model study, which includes the atmospheric circulation from summer to winter pole however, suggests much lower number densities at the summer mesopause. We here investigate the implications of low number densities for the formation of ice particles. We find that even though resulting ice particle distribution may produce typical NLC brightness, the number density of ice particles is not consistent with what is expected for NLC and PMSE. In particular, it is much lower than the ice particle concentration (>1000 cm⁻³) typically expected to explain the “electron bite-outs” that are frequently observed in the vicinity of PMSE’s. We therefore re-examine the assumptions and parameters that determine the smoke distribution. We show that even though the number of condensation nuclei at the polar summer mesopause can be increased within the uncertainties, the results in most scenarios remain insufficient. We show that charged particles, perhaps in combination with significant deviations from the mean mesospheric state, may be necessary for condensation of ice particles in the polar summer mesosphere. Hence, we raise the question whether the conventional ideas of nucleation on meteoric smoke, which are used in current mesospheric ice models, are correct.     

Seasonal,annual, and interannual variability in MLT quasi-two-day waves over the low-latitude region Kolhapur (16.8°N; 74.2°E)

This study presents the quasi-two-day wave (Q2DW) characteristics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region obtained by taking hourly mean values of horizontal wind velocities for 4? years (August 2013–July 2017) through continuous measurements using a medium-frequency (MF) radar (operating frequency – 1.98?MHz) located at the low-latitude Indian station Kolhapur (16.8°N; 74.2°E). The MF radar located at Kolhapur was upgraded in 2013, and these results of Q2DW have been reported for the first time after upgrading. The present study investigated variability in seasonal, annual, interannual, and solar indices of Q2DWs traveling in zonal (EW) and meridional (NS) components in the MLT region. The Q2DW activity is observed to be stronger during austral summer (January–February) (EW?=?～5?m/s and NS?=?～8–10?m/s) than during boreal summer (June–July) (EW = ～5 m/s and NS = ～6–8?m/s). The Q2DW amplitudes are larger in the meridional component than in the zonal one. A strong semiannual oscillation (SAO) has been observed in Q2DWs, with peak during January–February and June–July. In addition, small enhancement is seen in meridional Q2DW in October (～5–6?m/s). It is observed that the entire spectrum (40–60?h) measured between 86 and 94?km contributes to the SAO amplitudes during January–February and June–July, whereas the waves measured between 42?h and 52?h contribute to enhancement in October similar to that reported elsewhere. In general, the Q2DW amplitude shows large interannual variability. The easterlies developed in the global circulation model in Northern hemisphere during May intensify up to around summer solstice. Q2DW activity peaks during westerly shear zone and intensifies with time at a lower thermospheric altitude (above 90?km). Small positive correlations (r?=?0.2 for sunspot number and r?=?0.1 for 10.7?cm solar flux) have been observed between Q2DW amplitudes and solar activity.     

Aura/MLS与TIMED/SABER观测全球重力波特性

大气重力波是临近空间环境主要大气波动之一,对全球环流具有重要影响。卫星上搭载的临边探测器能够探测临近空间大气温度,可用于临近空间大气重力波研究。利用2012－2014年Aura的微波临边探测器（MLS）和TIMED的红外临边探测器（SABER）的探测数据,对20~50 km高度的大气重力波扰动分布特征开展了分析研究,两种观测重力波活动基本一致,重力波随季节、纬度及高度的变化显著。冬季半球高纬度重力波扰动较强,赤道和夏季半球近赤道地区上空也存在明显重力波活动区域,夏季半球高纬度重力波扰动最弱。重力波扰动强度随高度增加。TIMED/SABER重力波扰动强度数值比 Aura/MLS略强。      

Planetary wave transience effects on the zonal mean flow: simulations with the COMMA-LIM model

A 3D circulation model has been used to investigate the role of the quasi two-day wave propagation, its dissipation and variability in the formation of the middle atmosphere zonal mean circulation. According to linear theory, the accelerations due to dissipation of steady planetary waves are relatively weak. This study shows that the transient quasi two-day wave is able to shift the summer jet towards the equator thereby attenuating the seasonal weakening of the westward jet.     

Large-scale circulation of atomic oxygen in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere

The variability of the atomic oxygen green line airglow at 557.7 nm, originating from the O(¹S) level, has a long history of observation. Only recently, global observations of the oxygen airglow, interpreted with the help of global circulation models have provided some understanding. Satellite observations of winds and temperatures clearly demonstrate the dynamical influence of tides on the daily variations. Both annual and semi-annual components of the variation have been identified as occurring over the course of the year. From the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere one expects downwelling in the winter at high latitudes, causing enhanced atomic oxygen and enhanced airglow while the opposite is expected in summer. In the present investigation a search is made for this large-scale signature using data from the WIND Imaging Interferometer on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, model results from the Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Mesosphere-Electrodynamics-Global Circulation Model, and earlier published results. A well-defined semi-annual variation of emission rate is found in the tropics, apparently the result of the semi-annual variation of the diurnal tide. Annual and semi-annual patterns are found at mid-latitudes, in satellite and model data, while ground-based observations detect only an annual variation, with a maximum in the autumn. At still higher latitudes the fall peak persists, but with a deep depletion of atomic oxygen in the springtime; this appears to be the signature of the large-scale circulation.     

Helicity evolution during the life cycle of tropical cyclones formed over the north Indian Ocean

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are violent multiscale convections occurring in the atmosphere. The destructive impact of the TCs is commensurate to the helicity associated with their evolution. The evolution of helicity of three TCs viz. Fani, Luban, and Ockhi formed over the north Indian ocean have been analyzed in this study. The analysis of kinetic energy density of primary (EP), secondary (ES) circulation and total helicity has shown that TCs showed helical features when the secondary overturning circulation knotted with primary tangential circulation in a moist convective situation. This condition can be considered a starting of the self-sustained helical feedback process. At this time, the core region became a rotation-dominated region that suppressed strain-dominated surroundings. The Okubo-Weiss parameter demonstrates the similar qualitative behavior of deep convection as total helicity. The local maximas in helicity time series are related with the changes in tropical cyclones' stages (intensification/dissipation). Therefore, consideration of helicity analysis is essential to analyze the TC intensification and dissipation.     

The day-to-day variability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere in low latitudes: A study using MF radar

This study presents the analysis of planetary waves (PWs) using daily mean wind velocities for four years (August 2013 to July 2017) of continuous measurements using MF radar over the low latitude Indian region Kolhapur (16.8° N; 74.2° E). The MF radar at Kolhapur was upgraded in 2013. These are the first results of PWs after the upgradation of MF radar. The seasonal and intra-seasonal variabilities of East-West (EW) traveling PWs in the MLT region have been studied. In the present work, the data was analyzed to study the waves with various periodicities (e.g. 3–4, 5–8, 15–17, and 30–60 days). The 3.5 day [Ultra-Fast Kelvin (UFK)] wave shows semiannual variability with burst like wave activity observed during the summer months and December solstice. In addition, it is observed to be stronger in the spring equinoctial period. A strong semiannual oscillation (SAO) has been observed in a 6.5-day wave with peaks near the equinoxes. Similar to SAO over the low latitude MLT region, the wave activity is stronger in April/May than in September/October. The 6.5-day waves are observed to be stronger when the background mean wind is westward. From the analysis, it has been seen that the period before and after the equinoctial period is favorable for the 6.5-day wave propagation. The 16-day wave has no significant seasonal dependence; instead, the waves spread to almost all seasons. The Madden-Julian Oscillations (MJOs) have been observed to be propagating with an average wind speed of ～ 5 m/s when the background mean wind is eastward. The occurrence of MJO is observed during the summer and winter months. These results are the first of their kind in two aspects: first, they show the PWs with enhanced altitude coverage covering up to 110 km, and second, they show the PWs not contaminated due to equatorial electro jet influence.     

Tropopause analysis over the Iranian region using GPS radio occultation data

Near-tropopause phenomena like upper level fronts and cyclones, penetrative cumulus convection and mesoscale mechanisms of exchange make important contributions to the mixing processes in the atmosphere. Spatio-temporal monitoring of the tropopause height, temperature and pressure is an appropriate tool to show the running processes in the atmosphere. In this study, GPS radio occultation data is used to investigate the tropopause height fluctuations and the relation between the stratosphere–troposphere exchange and the aforementioned phenomena over the Iranian region. The paper shows how the position of the sub-tropical jet has changed with time, using GPS radio occultation observations. The tropopause height changes latitudinally, and three different bimodal probability distribution functions are observed. The results also show that the mixing region in the south of Iran is associated with the subtropical jet in winter. However, this region shifts north of Iran due to changes in the position of the subtropical jet during the summer. Consistency of the mixing region from the radio occultation data and the total ozone of TOMS over the Iranian region is also observed.     

基于钠激光雷达观测数据的中间层顶大气温度分布特性研究

作为中间层和热层的边界层,中间层顶存在多种能量交换方式,是大气能量耦合的重要区域。本文利用部署于中国科学院廊坊临近空间大气探测站的钠荧光多普勒激光雷达2013年的观测数据,研究了廊坊上空中间层顶区域大气温度的年度和季节分布特性,并分析了影响温度分布的多种因素。年平均温度廓线图显示,中间层顶位于约97.5 km高度处,温度约191.2 K。受放热化学反应的影响,年平均温度廓线91 km高度处出现了一个198 K的相对温度高点。中间层顶区域大气温度的季节分布受太阳辐射和大气动力学因素综合影响,夏季在大气动力学影响下,中间层顶高度较低,位于88 km高度处,温度也较低,约177 K;冬季太阳辐射起主导作用,中间层顶位于99 km高度处,温度为181 K。通过拟合月平均温度分析了中间层顶区域大气温度年变化和半年变化的振幅和相位特征。结果显示,中间层顶区域上部温度分布主要受太阳辐射的影响;在中间层顶区域下部,大气波动主导了温度分布。      

Low-level circulation during the 1979 Indian summer monsoon

The GARP Monsoon Experiment (MONEX) provided a unique set of observations during the months May, June, July and August 1979, to study the Indian summer monsoon. Data sets from different platforms were collected during this period. In this paper, these platforms are reviewed and their data are presented with a special emphasis on the non-conventional ones : geostationary satellite (GOES), constant-level balloons (BALSAMINE Experiment) and instrumented aircrafts. Some results on the low-level circulation over the Arabian Sea as deduced from these observations are given. In 1979, the onset of the monsoon was very late and took place around mid-June. It was characterized by the formation of a vortex off the western coast of India and its later westward displacement over the Arabian Sea.     

Regional and temporal variability of solar activity and galactic cosmic ray effects on the lower atmosphere circulation

In this work we studied the spatial and temporal structure of long-term effects of solar activity (SA) and galactic cosmic ray (GCR) variations on the lower atmosphere circulation as well as possible reasons for the peculiarities of this structure. The study revealed a strong latitudinal and regional dependence of SA/GCR effects on pressure variations in the lower troposphere which seems to be determined by specific features of baric systems formed in different regions. The temporal structure of SA/GCR effects on the troposphere circulation at high and middle latitudes is characterized by a roughly 60-year periodicity which is apparently due to the epochs of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. It is suggested that a possible mechanism of long-term effects of solar activity and cosmic ray variations on the troposphere circulation involves changes in the evolution of the polar vortex in the stratosphere of high latitudes, as well as planetary frontal zones.     

ULF wave index as magnetospheric and space-weather parameters

Waves in the Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) band owe their existence to solar wind turbulence and transport momentum and energy from the solar wind to the magnetosphere and farther down. Therefore an index based on ULF wave power could better characterize solar wind–magnetosphere interaction than K_P, Dst, AE, etc. indices which described mainly quasi-study state condition of the system. We have shown that the ULF wave index accurately characterize relativistic electron dynamics in the magnetosphere as these waves are closely associated with circulation, diffusion and energization of relativistic electrons in the magnetosphere. High speed solar wind streams also act as a significant driver of activity in the Earth’s magnetosphere co-rotating interaction region and are responsible for geomagnetic activities. In the present paper, we have analyzed various cases related with very weak (quiet) days, weak days, storm days and eclipse events and discussed the utility of the ULF wave index to explain the magnetospheric dynamics and associated properties. We have tried to explain that the ULF wave index can equally be useful as a space weather parameter like the other indices.     

中国广州地区电离层闪烁观测结果的初步统计分析

利用在广州站(23o8' N, 113o17' E)建立的GPS电离层闪烁监测系统, 开展了对电离层闪烁的连续观测. 利用这些观测数据, 对广州地区2007年4月至9月及2008年1月至9月电离层闪烁变化特性进行了初步统计分析研究. 分析结果表明, 广州地区闪烁主要发生在太阳活动较低的磁静日期间. 季节变化表现为弱闪烁(0.2相似文献   

Stratosphere-mesosphere coupling during stratospheric sudden warming events

In this review article we summarize recent results in the coupling of the stratosphere–mesosphere during stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events. We focus on the role of planetary and gravity waves in driving the middle atmosphere circulation and illustrate the stratosphere–mesosphere coupling during undisturbed wintertime circulation, during an SSW event, and after an SSW event during the formation of an elevated stratopause using simulations of past Arctic and Antarctic winters from the Specified Dynamics version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (SD-WACCM). We illustrate the transition of the polar stratopause from being a gravity wave driven phenomena to a planetary wave driven phenomena during SSW events and its subsequent reestablishment and control by gravity waves. We also examine the synoptic structure of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere using SD-WACCM data fields that show the structure of the vortex during specific dynamical events in both hemispheres. We illustrate the longitudinal asymmetry in the thermal structure in the stratosphere and mesosphere driven by differences in circulation over the polar cap regions during an SSW event. We complement this analysis of the middle atmosphere circulation with a classification of both the Arctic and Antarctic winters since 1979 into major, minor, elevated stratopause or quiet winters based on the level of disturbance using the Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis data. From the MERRA data we find that the combined occurrences of both major and minor warmings in the Arctic have remained constant over the past three decades while we find a minor increase in their occurrences in the Antarctic.     

Millstone地区垂直等效风场的气候学变化

基于1976---2006年美国Millstone非相干散射雷达的电离层观测数据, 分析了美国Millstone地区不同太阳活动条件下, 包括中性风场和电场漂移共同贡献的垂直等效风场的变化特征. 结果表明, Millstone地区的垂直等效风场表现出比较明显的周日、太阳活动和季节变化特征. 晚间垂直向上的等效风较强, 白天等效风较弱, 甚至接近于零. 在不同太阳活动和季节变化条件下, Millstone地区的等效风场都表现出类似的周日变化特征, 低太阳活动条件下, 晚间表现出较大的向上漂移. 这种周日变化和太阳活动变化特征与Millstone地区受到极区热源驱动大气循环的调制以及离子曳力的增减有关. 春季和秋季有相似的幅度和相位变化趋势, 表现出分点对称性; 冬季晚间向上漂移比夏季弱, 且随着太阳活动增强, 差异更加明显, 这再次体现了极区热源驱动大气循环的影响.      

Evolution of the Martian water cycle.

The current Martian water cycle is extremely asymmetric, with large amounts of vapor subliming off a permanent north polar water ice cap in northern summer, but with no apparent major source of water vapor in the southern hemisphere. Detailed simulations of this process with a three-dimensional circulation model indicate that the summertime interhemispheric exchange (Hadley cell) is very much stronger than transport by eddies in other seasons. As a result, water ice would be distributed globally were it not for the buffering action of regolith soil adsorption which limits the net flux of water vapor off the north polar cap to amounts that are insignificant even on the scale of thousands of years. It has been suggested that the polar layered deposits are the result of exchange on these long time scales, driven by changes in Martian orbital parameters. We therefore are conducting simulations to test the effect of varied orbital parameters on the Martian water cycle. We find that when the perihelion summer pole is charged with a polar water ice cap, large quantities of water are quickly transfered to the aphelion summer pole, setting up an annual cycle that resembles the present one. Thus, the adsorptivity of the Martian regolith may be in the narrow range where it can limit net transport from the aphelion but not the perihelion pole.     

武昌低电离层LF观测的季节变化

通过分析武昌低电离层LF观测数据,得到了中低纬度低电离层电子密度剖面的季节变化特征及其与太阳天顶角周年变化的关系,给出LF相位周年振荡幅度的年际变化曲线．     

A Method of Inversing the Peak Density of Atomic Oxygen Vertical Distribution in the MLT Region From the OI (557.7nm) Night Airglow Intensity

In this paper, using the MSISE-90 model as the reference atmosphere, we discuss the feasibility and method of deducing the peak densities of the undisturbed atomic oxygen profiles in the MLT region (the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region) from OI (557.7 nm) night airglow intersities. The peak densities for different seasons, latitudes and longitudes are deduced from OI (557.7nm) airglow intensities through this expression. We analyze the features of inversion relative errors and discuss the influence of the variations in temperature on inversion errors. The results indicate that all inversion errors are less than 5% except for those at high altitudes in the summer hemisphere. And the impact of the variations in temperature on errors is not significant.      

An improved approach for rainfall estimation over Indian summer monsoon region using Kalpana-1 data

In this paper, an improved Kalpana-1 infrared (IR) based rainfall estimation algorithm, specific to Indian summer monsoon region is presented. This algorithm comprises of two parts: (i) development of Kalpana-1 IR based rainfall estimation algorithm with improvement for orographic warm rain underestimation generally suffered by IR based rainfall estimation methods and (ii) cooling index to take care of the growth and decay of clouds and thereby improving the precipitation estimation.