The low-frequency pressure and velocity perturbations caused by the temporally varying Lorentz force associated with auroral electrojet activity are modeled by calculating the disturbances generated by a two-dimensional, time-dependent current system in a gravitatinally stratified, isothermal, windless atmosphere. These calculations provide information about the pattern of gravity waves around the hypothetical electrojet and give estimates of the magnitudes of near-field auroral disturbances in the middle atmosphere. It is suggested that the near-field vertical wind shear may be large enough to affect the development of air turbulence in the auroral zone.