Climatology of Mountain Wave-Induced Turbulence in the Stratosphere over Central Asia: October-December 1994-2001

Abstract

This report summarizes experiments using the Naval Research Laboratory Mountain Wave Forecast Model to construct climatologies of stratospheric turbulence due to mountain wave breaking over central Asia during the months of Oct-Dec. Results are presented as standard monthly turbulence maps at three pressure (altitude)intervals in the 30-100 hPa range (heights 16-24 km) for the years 1994-2001. Both average and maximum turbulence levels are provided. Major findings are as follows (1) turbulence is greatest at 70-100 hPa, and decreases significantly with height above 70-100 hPa; (2) turbulence at all heights increases on progressing into winter months (Oct-Dec); (3) geographical and year-to-year variability is large, but nonsystematic; (4) 2000 and 2001 were unusually turbulent Octobers at 70-100 hPa.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 24, 2002
Accession Number
ADA403098

Entities

People

  • Stephen D. Eckermann

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Asia
  • Central Asia
  • Climatology
  • Environment
  • Intervals
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Military Research
  • Mountains
  • Physics
  • Standards
  • Stratosphere
  • Three Dimensional
  • Turbulence
  • Two Dimensional
  • Weather Forecasting

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology

Technology Areas

  • Space