Planetary wave coupling in the middle atmosphere (20-90km): A CUJO study involving TOMS, MetO and MF radar data

Abstract

The atmospheric coupling due to Planetary Waves (PW) in the middle atmosphere (20-90km) has been studied using TOMS, MetO and MFR data. The wavelet and wave number analyses have been applied to all parameters at five CUJO (Canada US Japan Opportunity) locations. The CUJO network covers latitudes of 31-52° N and longitudes from 81° W to 142° E, and allows for the assessment of longitudinal variability. The results of temporal and spectral comparisons show that the total ozone (TOMS) and MetO temperatures at low stratospheric heights (typically 100mbar) have high values of correlation as well as similar spectral content. The eastward motions dominate at low stratospheric heights (100mbar), while westward motions became comparable or even stronger in the upper stratosphere (0.46mbar). During the summer months a reduction of PW activity has been observed in the stratosphere, especially at its upper heights, and in the upper middle atmosphere. The MetO (0.32mbar, 55km) and MFR winds (circa 60km) are in good general agreement, especially for the zonal component. Several examples of planetary wave activity at different atmospheric levels throughout the middle atmosphere have been presented. These examples include an eastward propagating 15-day disturbance with wave number 6, that has been observed only at low stratospheric heights; long-period (20-30 days) oscillations with wave number ~1 that have been detected in a wide height range (20-90km); and an oscillation with period near 16 days that was found only at mesospheric heights.