TROPICAL UPPER AIR STUDIES. PART I. PERSISTENCE OF THE DAILY STRATOSPHERIC WINDS IN THE TROPICS. PART II. LONG-PERIOD WIND FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TROPICS.

Abstract

The persistence of tropical 50 mb daily wind direction and speed along with the daily zonal component was computed to determine the interval over which a wind observation may be regarded as 'independent'. Monthly means of the zonal component were determined using only 'independent observations' and then compared to monthly means based on all available data. Long period fluctuations of the stratospheric zonal winds in the tropics were examined to describe variations in the observed monthly mean patterns. The quasi-biennial and annual fluctuations account for practically all the observed wind variability; the meridional and vertical variation of the amplitudes as well as the difference in phase propagation downward of each of these two components cause the complex interference patterns that are observed with time at various subtropical and tropical stations. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0602851

Entities

People

  • A. D. Belmont
  • D. G. Dartt
  • W. C. Shen

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Intervals
  • Observation
  • Wind
  • Wind Direction

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology

Technology Areas

  • Space