It is shown that the quasi-biennial oscillation of the equatorial lower stratosphere was correlated with mean zonal wind in the upper stratosphere, 1979--90. Correlations were positive near 60 ¿N and 30 ¿S during northern hemisphere (NH) winter and negative in the equatorial upper stratosphere during all seasons. Spatial autocorrelation of mean zonal wind during NH winter was actually largest in the upper stratosphere, between 10 ¿S and 62 ¿N, due to strong coupling between tropical and extratropical flow at upper levels. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991