Comparison of the Dynamic Processes during Major and Minor Stratospheric Warmings In A Numerical Model.
Abstract
In this study we have analyzed the processes involved in a major and minor warming based on data generated from a 31-layer primitive equation spectral model consisting of a 5-layer troposphere, 12-layer stratosphere and 14-layer mesosphere. The forcing of the model consisted of orographic features designed to simulate the major Northern Hemisphere continents. This gave a combination of wave number 1 and wave number 2 forcing. The analysis of the simulated major and minor warmings indicated several similarities and differences between the cases. The initial difference between the cases is that case 1 (major warming) had a weak polar vortex, while case 2 (minor warming) had a strong polar vortex. This resulted in case 2 having much larger turbulent flux terms, but not sufficient to reverse the mean polar winds. Case 1 produces a major warming in the polar stratosphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA106371
Entities
People
- James Howard Davenport
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology