A 2-D dynamical model of mesospheric temperature inversions in winter

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i012p02197· OSTI ID:5609879

Hauchecorne, A; Maillard, A ^[1]

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1. Service d'Aeronomie du CNRS, Verrieres-le Buisson (France)

A 2-D stratospheric and mesospheric dynamical model including drag and diffusion due to gravity wave breaking is used to simulate winter mesospheric temperature inversions similar to those observed by Rayleigh lidar. It is shown that adiabatic heating associated to descending velocities in the mesosphere is the main mechanism involved in the formation of such inversions. Sensitivity tests are performed with the model and confirm this assumption. It is also explained why other previous similar studies with 2-D models did not show mesospheric inversion layers.

• OSTI ID: 5609879
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 17:12; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
DIFFUSION
DRAG
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
GRAVITY WAVES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICS
MESOSPHERE
OPTICAL RADAR
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SIMULATION
STRATOSPHERE
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS