Anomalous Conditions in the Middle Atmosphere During Boreal Winters of 2004 and 2006
Abstract
An examination of SABER data for boreal winter reveals extraordinary conditions in the mesosphere early in 2004 and 2006. In portions of the polar region, during much but not all of the mid-January through mid-March period for which data are available in each of those years, the OH layer is unusually low and bright. The temperature structure in also greatly perturbed, from the stratosphere to the upper mesosphere. Specifically, the OH layer is found as much as 8 km below its nominal altitude of 87 km, and very high temperatures - occasionally exceeding 275 K - appear at altitudes where the layer exists. We use SABER data to quantify the anomalous effects, study their evolution, and contrast them with those of the "normal" years 2003 and 2005. We also cite other observations and model studies of conditions in the stratosphere during those years, and enhanced downward transport within the polar vortex that has been inferred from them. Transport is the likely explanation for the anomalous properties of the OH layer seen in the SABER data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA477673
Entities
People
- Peter P. Wintersteiner