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Observations of Stratospheric Gravity Waves Over Europe on 12 January 2016: The Role of the Polar Night Jet
Author(s) -
Bossert Katrina,
Vadas Sharon L.,
Hoffmann Lars,
Becker Erich,
Harvey V. Lynn,
Bramberger Martina
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8996
pISSN - 2169-897X
DOI - 10.1029/2020jd032893
Subject(s) - stratosphere , troposphere , polar , polar night , gravity wave , atmospheric sciences , jet (fluid) , gravitational wave , jet stream , geology , climatology , environmental science , meteorology , physics , astrophysics , astronomy , mechanics
Observations during 12 January 2016 revealed a series of events of significant gravity wave (GW) activity over Europe. Analysis of derived temperatures from the Atmospheric InfraRed Sounder (AIRS) provides insight into the sources of these GWs, and include a new observation of stratosphere polar night jet (PNJ) generated GWs. Mountain waves were present during this time as well over the French Alps and the Carpathian Mountains and had maximum temperature perturbations, T ′, as large as 27 K over the French Alps. Further investigation of the mountain waves that demonstrated their presence in the stratosphere was determined not only by stratospheric conditions but also by strong winds in the troposphere and at the surface. GWs generated in the stratosphere by the PNJ had maximum T ′ of 7 K. These observations demonstrate multiple sources of GWs during a dynamically active period and implicate the role of the PNJ in both the vertical propagation of GWs generated in the troposphere and the generation of GWs from the PNJ itself.