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Detailed Reference Information
Salby et al. 2007
Salby, M.L., Matrosova, L. and Callaghan, P.F. (2007). Global Kelvin waves in the upper atmosphere excited by tropospheric forcing at midlatitudes. Journal of Geophysical Research 112: doi: 10.1029/2006JD007235. issn: 0148-0227.

Nonlinear integrations with a 3-D primitive equation model of the middle and upper atmosphere reveal global-scale Kelvin waves. Owing to their meridional extent, these eastward propagating disturbances can be excited by tropospheric fluctuations over much of the globe. Stochastic forcing in the midlatitude troposphere produces an eastward response that involves the Kelvin normal mode, with barotropic vertical structure, as well as a continuum of vertically propagating Kelvin waves. Having periods of order a day and shorter, those disturbances are all global. Transient fluctuations representative of midlatitude weather systems reproduce observed Kelvin structure and amplitude near the tropopause. Vertical amplification then leads to wind fluctuations at mesospheric and thermospheric altitudes of 5--15 m/s. Approaching tidal amplitudes, global Kelvin waves should therefore represent a measurable if not prominent feature at those altitudes.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Processes, Tides and planetary waves, Ionosphere, Ionospheric disturbances, Ionosphere, Wave propagation (0689, 3285, 4275, 4455, 6934), Atmospheric Processes, Middle atmosphere dynamics (0341, 0342), Atmospheric Processes, Mesospheric dynamics
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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