Observations of height-dependent pressure-perturbation structure of a strong mesoscale gravity wave
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
- Science Systems and Applications Inc., Seabrook, MD (United States)
Airborne observations using a downward-looking, dual-frequency, near-infrared, differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system provide the first measurements of the height-dependent pressure-perturbation field associated with a strong mesoscale gravity wave. A pressure-perturbation amplitude of 3.5 mb was measured within the lowest 1.6 km of the atmosphere over a 52-km flight line. Corresponding vertical displacements of 250-500 m were inferred from lidar-observed displacement of aerosol layers. Accounting for probable wave orientation, a horizontal wavelength of about 40 km was estimated. Satellite observations reveal wave structure of a comparable scale in concurrent cirrus cloud fields over an extended area. Smaller-scale waves were also observed. Local meteorological soundings are analyzed to confirm the existence of a suitable wave duct. Potential wave-generation mechanisms are examined and discussed. The large pressure-perturbation wave is attributed to rapid amplification or possible wave breaking of a gravity wave as it propagated offshore and interacted with a very stable marine boundary layer capped by a strong shear layer.
- OSTI ID:
- 6617472
- Journal Information:
- Monthly Weather Review; (United States), Vol. 120:12; ISSN 0027-0644
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
REMOTE SENSING
GRAVITY WAVES
AERIAL MONITORING
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LAYERS
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL RADAR
SATELLITES
WAVE PROPAGATION
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFORMATION
INFRARED RADIATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
NUMERICAL DATA
RADAR
RADIATIONS
RANGE FINDERS
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