Middle Atmosphere | Planetary Waves

Anne K. Smith; Judith Perlwitz; Vivien Wendt

doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-96026-7.00020-5

Middle Atmosphere | Planetary Waves

Anne K. Smith
, Judith Perlwitz
, Vivien Wendt

National Center for Atmospheric Research
University of Colorado Boulder
German Aerospace Center

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Planetary waves are vertically propagating disturbances that are identified by large-scale variations in pressure, temperature, winds, and composition. Much of the large-scale longitude variability in the middle atmosphere is due to planetary waves. They can be stationary or travel in longitude with periods of a few days to a few weeks. Planetary waves interact with other waves and with the background atmosphere. Large-amplitude waves can contribute to rapid changes in wind and temperature. Planetary waves also play a role in the coupling between the middle atmosphere and the troposphere below and the thermosphere-ionosphere system above.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	V4:553-V4:567
ISBN (Electronic)	9780323960267
ISBN (Print)	9780323958219
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-96026-7.00020-5
State	Published - Jan 1 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Kelvin waves
Mesosphere
Mixed Rossby-gravity waves
Normal modes
Planetary wave reflection
Planetary waves
Rossby waves
Stationary planetary waves
Stratosphere
Sudden stratospheric warmings
Traveling planetary waves
Vertical coupling

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10.1016/B978-0-323-96026-7.00020-5

Cite this

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title = "Middle Atmosphere | Planetary Waves",

abstract = "Planetary waves are vertically propagating disturbances that are identified by large-scale variations in pressure, temperature, winds, and composition. Much of the large-scale longitude variability in the middle atmosphere is due to planetary waves. They can be stationary or travel in longitude with periods of a few days to a few weeks. Planetary waves interact with other waves and with the background atmosphere. Large-amplitude waves can contribute to rapid changes in wind and temperature. Planetary waves also play a role in the coupling between the middle atmosphere and the troposphere below and the thermosphere-ionosphere system above.",

keywords = "Kelvin waves, Mesosphere, Mixed Rossby-gravity waves, Normal modes, Planetary wave reflection, Planetary waves, Rossby waves, Stationary planetary waves, Stratosphere, Sudden stratospheric warmings, Traveling planetary waves, Vertical coupling",

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TY - CHAP

T1 - Middle Atmosphere | Planetary Waves

AU - Smith, Anne K.

AU - Perlwitz, Judith

AU - Wendt, Vivien

PY - 2025/1/1

Y1 - 2025/1/1

N2 - Planetary waves are vertically propagating disturbances that are identified by large-scale variations in pressure, temperature, winds, and composition. Much of the large-scale longitude variability in the middle atmosphere is due to planetary waves. They can be stationary or travel in longitude with periods of a few days to a few weeks. Planetary waves interact with other waves and with the background atmosphere. Large-amplitude waves can contribute to rapid changes in wind and temperature. Planetary waves also play a role in the coupling between the middle atmosphere and the troposphere below and the thermosphere-ionosphere system above.

AB - Planetary waves are vertically propagating disturbances that are identified by large-scale variations in pressure, temperature, winds, and composition. Much of the large-scale longitude variability in the middle atmosphere is due to planetary waves. They can be stationary or travel in longitude with periods of a few days to a few weeks. Planetary waves interact with other waves and with the background atmosphere. Large-amplitude waves can contribute to rapid changes in wind and temperature. Planetary waves also play a role in the coupling between the middle atmosphere and the troposphere below and the thermosphere-ionosphere system above.

KW - Kelvin waves

KW - Mesosphere

KW - Mixed Rossby-gravity waves

KW - Normal modes

KW - Planetary wave reflection

KW - Planetary waves

KW - Rossby waves

KW - Stationary planetary waves

KW - Stratosphere

KW - Sudden stratospheric warmings

KW - Traveling planetary waves

KW - Vertical coupling

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105028830336

U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-323-96026-7.00020-5

DO - 10.1016/B978-0-323-96026-7.00020-5

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105028830336

SN - 9780323958219

SP - V4:553-V4:567

BT - Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences

PB - Elsevier

ER -

Middle Atmosphere | Planetary Waves

Abstract

Keywords

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