Winds in E Region

It is important to determine whether regular tidal winds or irregular gravity waves dominate the transport processes in the E region. This depends on their relative amplitudes. The question became prominent when Chimonas [1971] claimed that ‘the dominant winds in the E region are the solar tidal winds.’ This was a misquotation from another source. The best estimates seem to be that gravity wave amplitudes are rather greater than either of the major solar tidal wind amplitudes at E ‐region heights. Consequences of assuming otherwise are discussed.