EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Innis et al. 2004
Innis, J.L., Klekociuk, A.R. and Vincent, R.A. (2004). Interstation correlation of high-latitude lower-stratosphere gravity wave activity: Evidence for planetary wave modulation of gravity waves over Antarctica. Journal of Geophysical Research 109: doi: 10.1029/2004JD004961. issn: 0148-0227.

Four years of operational radiosonde balloon flights, from three Australian stations in eastern Antarctica (Casey, 66.3¿S, 110.0¿E; Davis, 68.6¿S, 78.0¿E; and Mawson, 67.6¿S, 62.9¿E) are analyzed to derive lower-stratosphere (12--20 km altitude) gravity wave information from perturbations in wind and temperature. Gravity wave activity and seasonal behavior was found to be similar to that seen in earlier studies from Antarctica. Interstation comparisons of zonal wind and gravity wave activity showed very high correlations throughout the entire data set, between Mawson and Davis stations (~600 km distant), with a lag near 0.5 days. The correlations between Casey and Davis (1400 km apart) were lower but still significant, with a lag near 1 day. There is no significant correlation between stratospheric gravity wave activity and surface winds. Our results suggest a pattern of winds and waves moving eastward over the stations with a speed near 15 m s-1. As this is comparable to planetary wave speeds, we interpret our results as being evidence for a significant planetary wave--induced modulation of the zonal wind and the gravity wave field, although we are unable to identify the mechanism by which this operates. Our work suggests that the high-latitude lower-stratosphere gravity wave fields are relatively uniform on spatial scales of 500--1000 km and on timescales of around 0.5--1 days.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Middle atmosphere dynamics (0341, 0342), Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Waves and tides, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Synoptic-scale meteorology, gravity waves, planetary waves, high-latitude stratosphere
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit