A Simple Kinematic Model for the Lagrangian Description of Relevant Nonlinear Processes in the Stratospheric Polar Vortex
Abstract
Abstract. In this work we study the Lagrangian footprint of the planetary waves present in the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere during the Sudden Stratospheric Warming event that took place during September 2002. The Lagrangian analysis of the transport and mixing processes is carried out in the framework of dynamical systems theory, by means of a Lagrangian descriptor. We seek to describe the Lagrangian skeleton of geometrical structures that lead to filamentation phenomena and the breakdown of the polar vortex, and establish its relation with how planetary waves interact. Our approach is based on the construction of a simple kinematic model, inspired by the Fourier decomposition of the geopotential field. We show that this model is capable of reproducing the key Lagrangian features present on the reanalysis data such as the formation of filaments eroding the stratospheric polar vortex and the breakdown of the vortex.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.5194/npg-2016-81
Entities
People
- Ana María Mancho
- Carlos Roberto Mechoso
- Jezabel Curbelo
- Stephen Wiggins
- Víctor José García-garrido
Organizations
- Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research