Global normal-mode Rossby waves observed in stratospheric ozone data

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1993)050<0406:GNMRWO>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6720644

Randel, W J ^[1]

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1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)

Westward-propagating Rossby normal-mode planetary waves are documented in stratospheric ozone data using Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) satellite measurements. These modes are evidenced by enhanced spectral power and near-global coherence for westward-traveling zonal wave 1 oscillations with periods of 5-10 days. The ozone waves have maxima in high latitudes of the middle stratosphere (due to transport) and over midlatitudes in the upper stratosphere (due to photochemistry). These modes are nearly continuous throughout the eight years of SBUV observations, with maximum global coherence during the equinoxes. The upper-stratospheric waves are symmetric (in phase) between hemispheres, even for modes previously identified as antisymmetric in geopotential height. This behavior is due to differing wave vertical structure in each hemisphere: the planetary temperature waves are nearly in phase in the upper stratosphere, even though the height waves are out of phase. The observed ozone waves are furthermore compared to calculations based on linear wave transport and photochemistry, incorporating derived wind and temperature fields. Good agreement is found, showing that normal modes provide an idealized context to study the linear wave behavior of trace constituents in the real atmosphere. 23 refs., 17 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6720644
• Journal Information: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences; (United States) Vol. 50:3; ISSN 0022-4928; ISSN JAHSAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (1990-)
ADVECTION
CHEMISTRY
DATA
DIAGNOSTIC USES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH PLANET
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
MASS TRANSFER
NIMBUS SATELLITES
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
NUMERICAL DATA
OSCILLATIONS
OZONE
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SATELLITES
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
STRATOSPHERE
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
USES
WAVE PROPAGATION
WIND