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Changes in mesospheric dynamics at 78°N, 16°E and 70°N, 19°E: 2001–2012
Author(s) -
Hall C. M.,
Tsutsumi M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8996
pISSN - 2169-897X
DOI - 10.1002/jgrd.50268
Subject(s) - climatology , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , jet (fluid) , altitude (triangle) , geography , geology , physics , mathematics , geometry , thermodynamics
Mesospheric wind data from meteor wind radars situated on Svalbard (78°N, 16°E) and the Norwegian mainland (70°N, 19°E) are examined for evidence of systematic change during the interval 2001–2012. For both locations, we find changes that suggest a strengthening of the summer westward jet, a weakening of the local winter eastward flow and, yet at the same time, weak evidence for any significant corresponding trend in the winter poleward flow. There is also a suggestion of an increase in the altitude of the summer polar jet, but more data will be required to confirm this. The main finding of a strengthening zonal flow is consistent with earlier studies and also with a contemporary scenario of progressive strengthening of the Brewer‐Dobson circulation. We show that inclusion of sudden stratospheric warmings strongly influences trends. There is no obvious causality between the changes detected over the 2001–2012 time interval and the solar cycle parameterized by total solar irradiance.