Application of a planetary wave breaking parameterization to stratospheric circulation statistics

W. J. Randel, R. R. Garcia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The planetary wave parameterization scheme developed recently by Garcia is applied to stratospheric circulation statistics derived from 12 years of National Meteorological Center operational stratospheric analyses. From the data a planetary wave breaking criterion (based on the ratio of the eddy to zonal mean meridional potential vorticity (PV) gradients), a wave damping rate, and a meridional diffusion coefficient are calculated. The equatorward flank of the polar night jet during winter is identified as a wave breaking region from the observed PV gradients; the region moves poleward with season, covering all high latitudes in spring. Derived damping rates maximize in the subtropical upper stratosphere (the "surf zone'), with damping time scales of 3-4 days. Maximum diffusion coefficients follow the spatial patterns of the wave breaking criterion, with magnitudes comparable to prior published estimates. -Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1157-1168
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume51
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

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