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SPADE H 2 O measurements and the seasonal cycle of stratospheric water vapor
Author(s) -
Hintsa Eric J.,
Weinstock Elliot M.,
Dessler Andrew E.,
Anderson James G.,
Loewenstein Max,
Podolske James R.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/94gl01279
Subject(s) - stratosphere , water vapor , hygrometer , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , mixing ratio , mixing (physics) , climatology , water cycle , meteorology , geology , humidity , physics , ecology , biology , quantum mechanics
We present measurements of lower stratospheric water vapor obtained during the SPADE mission with a new high precision, fast response, Lyman‐alpha hygrometer. The H 2 O data show a distinct seasonal cycle. For air that recently entered the stratosphere, data collected during the fall show much more water vapor than data from the spring. Fast quasi‐horizontal mixing causes compact relationships between water and N 2 O to be established on relatively short time scales. The measurements are consistent with horizontal mixing times of a few months or less. Vertical mixing appears to cause the seasonal variations in water vapor to propagate up to levels corresponding to air that has been in the stratosphere approximately one year.