Extension of the Polar Vortex Into the Mesosphere V
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(QBO) Impact on the Boreal Winter Polar Vortex
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2019-1119 Preprint. Discussion started: 14 January 2020 c Author(s) 2020. CC BY 4.0 License. A tropospheric pathway of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) impact on the boreal winter polar vortex Koji Yamazaki1, Tetsu Nakamura1, Jinro Ukita2, and Kazuhira Hoshi3 5 1Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810, Japan 2Faculty of Science, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan 3Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan 10 Correspondence to: Koji Yamazaki ([email protected]) Abstract. The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is quasi-periodic oscillation of the tropical zonal wind in the stratosphere. When the tropical lower stratospheric wind is easterly (westerly), the winter Northern Hemisphere (NH) stratospheric polar vortex tends to be weak (strong). This relation is known as Holton-Tan relationship. Several mechanisms for this relationship have been proposed, especially linking the tropics with high-latitudes through stratospheric pathway. Although QBO impacts 15 on the troposphere have been extensively discussed, a tropospheric pathway of the Holton-Tan relationship has not been explored previously. We here propose a tropospheric pathway of the QBO impact, which may partly account for the Holton- Tan relationship in early winter, especially in the November-December period. The study is based on analyses on observational data and results from a simple linear model and atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations. The mechanism is summarized as follows: the easterly phase of the QBO is accompanied with colder temperature in the 20 tropical tropopause layer, which enhances convective activity over the tropical western Pacific and suppresses over the Indian Ocean, thus enhancing the Walker circulation. -
Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) Mapping Across Temporal and Spatial Scales a White Paper for the NRC Decadal
Global Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere (ITM) Mapping Across Temporal and Spatial Scales A White Paper for the NRC Decadal Survey of Solar and Space Physics Andrew Stephan, Scott Budzien, Ken Dymond, and Damien Chua NRL Space Science Division Overview In order to fulfill the pressing need for accurate near-Earth space weather forecasts, it is essential that future measurements include both temporal and spatial aspects of the evolution of the ionosphere and thermosphere. A combination of high altitude global images and low Earth orbit altitude profiles from simple, in-the-medium sensors is an optimal scenario for creating continuous, routine space weather maps for both scientific and operational interests. The method presented here adapts the vast knowledge gained using ultraviolet airglow into a suggestion for a next-generation, near-Earth space weather mapping network. Why the Ionosphere, Thermosphere, and Mesosphere? The ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) region of the terrestrial atmosphere is a complex and dynamic environment influenced by solar radiation, energy transfer, winds, waves, tides, electric and magnetic fields, and plasma processes. Recent measurements showing how coupling to other regions also influences dynamics in the ITM [e.g. Immel et al., 2006; Luhr, et al, 2007; Hagan et al., 2007] has exposed the need for a full, three- dimensional characterization of this region. Yet the true level of complexity in the ITM system remains undiscovered primarily because the fundamental components of this region are undersampled on the temporal and spatial scales that are necessary to expose these details. The solar and space physics research community has been driven over the past decade toward answering scientific questions that have a high level of practical application and relevance. -
First Results from the Solar Mesosphere Explorer
N_A_ru_RE_v_o_L_JOS_I _SEPTE__ MB_E_R_I_98_3 ---------- NEWSANDVIEWS------------------15 and changes in environmental variables demonstrating the complementarity of the getic particles - caused by a solar proton (such as food density) are well known. two approaches. 0 event4, for example. The largest event in Previously, comparative studies and op the current solar cycle occurred on 13 July timality theory have addressed rather dif 1982, and the notable decrease of ozone ferent kinds of ethological issue. The ap Paul H. Harvey is a lecturer in the School of concentration it caused was measured by plication of optimal foraging models to Biological Sciences, University of Sussex, SME. Proton events of this kind inject large data on interspecies differences in territory BrightonBN19RH, andGeorginaM. Mace is a research associate at London Zoo and at the numbers of high-energy protons into the size may throw light on the precise form of Department of Anthropology, University Col middle atmosphere, changing the concen cross-species relationships, as well as lege ofLondon, London WCIE 6BT. trations of ionized hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, and thus the ozone destruction rate and density. SME's near-infrared Atmospheric chemistry spectrometer observed ozone depletion reaching 70 per cent at 65° latitude, 78 km altitude, on the morning side and 10-20 per First results from the cent on the afternoon side. All the observations, including those of Solar Mesosphere Explorer the proton event, have been satisfactorily from Guy Brasseur compared with a particularly elaborate two-dimensional model which takes into THE first results from the Solar Meso foreseen by the Chapman theory in 1930, account most chemical reactions related to sphere Explorer (SME), a satellite designed and show that atmospheric temperature is the mesosphere and the fundamental specially to study atmospheric ozone, are the principal cause of changes in ozone dynamical mechanisms5•6 • now becoming available (Geophys. -
Program At-A-Glance
Sunday, 29 September 2019 Dinner (6:30–8:00 PM) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Monday, 30 September 2019 Breakfast (7:00–8:00 AM) Session 1: Extratropical Cyclone Structure and Dynamics: Part I (8:00–10:00 AM) Chair: Michael Riemer Time Author(s) Title 8:00–8:40 Spengler 100th Anniversary of the Bergen School of Meteorology Paper Raveh-Rubin 8:40–9:00 Climatology and Dynamics of the Link Between Dry Intrusions and Cold Fronts and Catto Tochimoto 9:00–9:20 Structures of Extratropical Cyclones Developing in Pacific Storm Track and Niino 9:20–9:40 Sinclair and Dacre Poleward Moisture Transport by Extratropical Cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere 9:40–10:00 Discussion Break (10:00–10:30 AM) Session 2: Jet Dynamics and Diagnostics (10:30 AM–12:10 PM) Chair: Victoria Sinclair Time Author(s) Title Breeden 10:30–10:50 Evidence for Nonlinear Processes in Fostering a North Pacific Jet Retraction and Martin Finocchio How the Jet Stream Controls the Downstream Response to Recurving 10:50–11:10 and Doyle Tropical Cyclones: Insights from Idealized Simulations 11:10–11:30 Madsen and Martin Exploring Characteristic Intraseasonal Transitions of the Wintertime Pacific Jet Stream The Role of Subsidence during the Development of North American 11:30–11:50 Winters et al. Polar/Subtropical Jet Superpositions 11:50–12:10 Discussion Lunch (12:10–1:10 PM) Session 3: Rossby Waves (1:10–3:10 PM) Chair: Annika Oertel Time Author(s) Title Recurrent Synoptic-Scale Rossby Wave Patterns and Their Effect on the Persistence of 1:10–1:30 Röthlisberger et al. -
Industry at the Edge of Space Other Springer-Praxis Books of Related Interest by Erik Seedhouse
IndustryIndustry atat thethe EdgeEdge ofof SpaceSpace ERIK SEEDHOUSE S u b o r b i t a l Industry at the Edge of Space Other Springer-Praxis books of related interest by Erik Seedhouse Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide 2008 ISBN: 978-0-387-74643-2 Lunar Outpost: The Challenges of Establishing a Human Settlement on the Moon 2008 ISBN: 978-0-387-09746-6 Martian Outpost: The Challenges of Establishing a Human Settlement on Mars 2009 ISBN: 978-0-387-98190-1 The New Space Race: China vs. the United States 2009 ISBN: 978-1-4419-0879-7 Prepare for Launch: The Astronaut Training Process 2010 ISBN: 978-1-4419-1349-4 Ocean Outpost: The Future of Humans Living Underwater 2010 ISBN: 978-1-4419-6356-7 Trailblazing Medicine: Sustaining Explorers During Interplanetary Missions 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4419-7828-8 Interplanetary Outpost: The Human and Technological Challenges of Exploring the Outer Planets 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4419-9747-0 Astronauts for Hire: The Emergence of a Commercial Astronaut Corps 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4614-0519-1 Pulling G: Human Responses to High and Low Gravity 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4614-3029-2 SpaceX: Making Commercial Spacefl ight a Reality 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4614-5513-4 E r i k S e e d h o u s e Suborbital Industry at the Edge of Space Dr Erik Seedhouse, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., FBIS Milton Ontario Canada SPRINGER-PRAXIS BOOKS IN SPACE EXPLORATION ISBN 978-3-319-03484-3 ISBN 978-3-319-03485-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03485-0 Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London Library of Congress Control Number: 2013956603 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014 This work is subject to copyright. -
Reducing Tornado Fatalities Outside Traditional “Tornado
Reducing Tornado Fatalities Outside Traditional “Tornado Alley” Erin A. Thead May 2016 Introduction Atmospheric scientists have long suspected that climate change produces an increase in weather extremes of all varieties, but tornadoes are an unusually tricky case. A recent publication from the National Academy of Sciences summarizes the state of the art in the new discipline of event attribution, finding that that, although tornadoes are among the most difficult extreme weather events attribute to anthropogenic climate change, improvements in modeling and climate-weather model coupling have made possible some degree of probabilistic attribution.1 At present it seems likely that the influence of climate change on tornadoes is indirect, manifested largely by more direct influences on natural climate cycles such as the amplitude of waves in the jet stream that bounds the polar vortex and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), with which severe tornado seasons and their predominant locations have been loosely linked.2,3 Researchers are not yet in a position to say for sure what if any role climate change has played in the increases in tornado frequency and severity we have seen over the past 50 years.4 However, we need not wait until these issues are sorted out to begin working to protect vulnerable populations. In what follows, I first give some background on the increasingly significant threat posed by tornadoes and then outline some proactive steps governments and other entities can take to keep people safe. A Disturbing Trend A disturbing trend has already developed concerning tornado fatalities. After several decades of decline that can largely be credited to a great increase in forecasting skills and warning lead time, the United States fatality rate for tornadoes has leveled off, although there may have been a slight increase in recent years. -
Observed Cyclone–Anticyclone Tropopause Vortex Asymmetries
JANUARY 2005 H A K I M A N D CANAVAN 231 Observed Cyclone–Anticyclone Tropopause Vortex Asymmetries GREGORY J. HAKIM AND AMELIA K. CANAVAN University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Manuscript received 30 September 2003, in final form 28 June 2004) ABSTRACT Relatively little is known about coherent vortices near the extratropical tropopause, even with regard to basic facts about their frequency of occurrence, longevity, and structure. This study addresses these issues through an objective census of observed tropopause vortices. The authors test a hypothesis regarding vortex-merger asymmetry where cyclone pairs are repelled and anticyclone pairs are attracted by divergent flow due to frontogenesis. Emphasis is placed on arctic vortices, where jet stream influences are weaker, in order to facilitate comparisons with earlier idealized numerical simulations. Results show that arctic cyclones are more numerous, persistent, and stronger than arctic anticyclones. An average of 15 cyclonic vortices and 11 anticyclonic vortices are observed per month, with maximum frequency of occurrence for cyclones (anticyclones) during winter (summer). There are are about 47% more cyclones than anticyclones that survive at least 4 days, and for longer lifetimes, 1-day survival probabilities are nearly constant at 65% for cyclones, and 55% for anticyclones. Mean tropopause potential-temperature amplitude is 13 K for cyclones and 11 K for anticyclones, with cyclones exhibiting a greater tail toward larger values. An analysis of close-proximity vortex pairs reveals divergence between cyclones and convergence be- tween anticyclones. This result agrees qualitatively with previous idealized numerical simulations, although it is unclear to what extent the divergent circulations regulate vortex asymmetries. -
The North Atlantic Variability Structure, Storm Tracks, and Precipitation Depending on the Polar Vortex Strength
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 5, 239–248, 2005 www.atmos-chem-phys.org/acp/5/239/ Atmospheric SRef-ID: 1680-7324/acp/2005-5-239 Chemistry European Geosciences Union and Physics The North Atlantic variability structure, storm tracks, and precipitation depending on the polar vortex strength K. Walter1 and H.-F. Graf1,2 1Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology, Bundesstrasse 54, D-20146 Hamburg, Germany 2Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Cambridge, Dept. Geography, Cambridge, CB2 3EN, UK Received: 10 June 2004 – Published in Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss.: 5 October 2004 Revised: 7 December 2004 – Accepted: 27 January 2005 – Published: 1 February 2005 Abstract. Motivated by the strong evidence that the state 1 Introduction of the northern hemisphere vortex in boreal winter influ- ences tropospheric variability, teleconnection patterns over During boreal winter the climate in large parts of the North- the North Atlantic are defined separately for winter episodes ern Hemisphere is under the influence of the North Atlantic where the zonal wind at 50 hPa and 65◦ N is above or below Oscillation (NAO). The latter constitutes the dominant mode the critical velocity for vertical propagation of zonal plane- of tropospheric variability in the North Atlantic region in- tary wave 1. We argue that the teleconnection structure in the cluding the North American East Coast and Europe, with ex- middle and upper troposphere differs considerably between tensions to Siberia and the Eastern Mediterranean. The NAO the two regimes of the polar vortex, while this is not the case is characterised by a meridional oscillation of mass between at sea level. If the polar vortex is strong, there exists one two major centres of action over the subtropical Atlantic and meridional dipole structure of geopotential height in the up- near Iceland: the Azores High and the Iceland Low. -
Interaction of Tropical Cyclones with a Dipole Vortex
Chapter 2 Interaction of Tropical Cyclones with a Dipole Vortex Ismael Perez‐Garcia, Alejandro Aguilar‐Sierra and Jaime Hernández Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/65953 Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to discuss certain disturbances around the pole of a Venus–type planet that result as a response to barotropic instability processes in a zonal flow. We discuss a linear instability of normal modes in a zonal flow through the barotropic vorticity equations (BVEs). By using a simple idealization of a zonal flow, the instability is employed on measurements of the upper atmosphere of Venus. In 1998, the tropical cyclone Mitch gave way to the observational study of a dipole vortex. This dipole vortex might have helped to intensify the cyclone and moved it towards the SW. In order to examine this process of interaction, the nonlinear BVE was integrated in time applied to the 800–200 hPa average layer in the previous moment when it moved towards the SW. The 2-day integrations carried out with the model showed that the geometric structure of the solution can be calculated to a good approximation. The solution HLC moves very fast westwards as observed. On October 27, the HLA headed north-eastward and then became quasi-stationary. It was also observed that HLA and HLC as a coupled system rotates in the clockwise direction. Keywords: polar vortices Venus, barotropic vorticity equation, normal mode instabil- ity, tropical cyclone, American monsoon system. 1. Introduction The air at the equatorial regions rises when heated by the sun and as it does, it cools down and sinks. -
Spring 2014 Volume V-1
The Coastal Front Spring 2014 Volume V-1 Skywarn Spotter Training Photo by John Jensenius By Chris Kimble, Forecaster Inside This Issue: Over the last several decades, technology has greatly improved our ability to observe and forecast the weather. Tools like satellite and radar provide more insight than ever into what the weather is doing Severe WX: Be Prepared Page 2 right now. Computers have allowed for greater integration of all the Dual Pol Radar Page 3 data, and complex forecast models provide valuable insight into how Winter Weather Review Page 4 weather systems will evolve over the next several days. But, no matter how December Ice Storm Page 5 advanced technol- Polar Vortex Explained Page 6 ogy has become, Staff Profile Page 7 forecasters rely on Note From the Editors Page 9 volunteers to re- port the ground truth of what’s Editor-in-Chief: Chris Kimble really happening in their town. Editors: Stacie Hanes Margaret Curtis While weather Michael Kistner radar is a great Figure 1: A supercell thunderstorm tracks across Nichole Becker tool to view Portland, Maine on June 23, 2013. Photo by Chris thunderstorms and Legro. Meteorologist in Charge (MIC): Hendricus Lulofs other precipitation events above the ground, there are often significant gaps between Warning Coordination what the radar sees above the ground and what is observed at ground Meteorologist (WCM): John Jensenius level where it matters most. Skywarn Storm Spotters provide invaluable information to NWS forecasters during and after severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, and snow storms. If you have an interest in weather and want to become a volunteer Skywarn Storm Spotter, attend one of our Skywarn training sessions. -
Global Lidar Exploration of the Mesosphere
GLEME: GLOBAL LIDAR EXPLORATION OF THE MESOSPHERE Project Technical Officer: E. Armandillo Study Participants: T.E. Sarris, E.R. Talaat, A. Papayannis, P. Dietrich, M. Daly, X. Chu, J. Penson, A. Vouldis, V. Antakis, G. Avdikos ABSTRACT: The Space Programmes Unit of the ATHENA Research Center (ATHENA-SPU) in Greece has lead a study towards the development of a spaceborne lidar mission designed to study mesospheric dynamics and chemistry. Determination of small scale waves in the mesosphere is the primary motivation and science focus of this mission and has driven the preliminary mission design. The mission concept proposed herein, called GLEME (Global Lidar Exploration of the Mesosphere), is designed to obtain temperature and horizontal winds in the mesosphere with the highest ever spatial and temporal resolution, allowing the determination of gravity wave characteristics, heat and momentum wave flux, and their effects on the background atmosphere. As part of this study a novel measurement scheme has been developed, and details of the instrument and mission concepts have been outlined. WHY STUDY THE MESOSPHERE? Even with new advances from remote- sensing measurements from spacecraft missions dedicated to mesospheric studies, the mesosphere remains an under-sampled region with many open questions. Being the “gateway” that connects Earth’s environment and space, the mesosphere is a region of great importance in energy balance processes and a link in vertical energy transfer, as it is in these layers that great surges of energy meet: solar radiation and particles contribute to downward energy transfer, whereas atmospheric tides and waves contribute to upward energy transfer from the stratosphere. -
Associations Between Space Weather Events and the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Deaths from Ischemic Heart Disease
atmosphere Article Associations between Space Weather Events and the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Deaths from Ischemic Heart Disease Vidmantas Vaiˇciulis 1,2,*, Jone˙ Vencloviene˙ 3,4, Abdonas Tamošiunas¯ 5,6, Deivydas Kiznys 3, Dalia Lukšiene˙ 1,5, Daina Kranˇciukaite-Butylkinien˙ e˙ 5,7 and RiˇcardasRadišauskas 1,5 1 Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania; [email protected] (D.L.); [email protected] (R.R.) 2 Health Research Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania 3 Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania; [email protected] (J.V.); [email protected] (D.K.) 4 Laboratory of Clinical Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50103 Kaunas, Lithuania 5 Laboratory of Population Studies, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50103 Kaunas, Lithuania; [email protected] (A.T.); [email protected] (D.K.-B.) 6 Department of Preventive Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania 7 Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50009 Kaunas, Lithuania * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +370-678-34506 Abstract: The effects of charged solar particles hitting the Earth’s magnetosphere are often harmful Citation: Vaiˇciulis,V.; Vencloviene,˙ J.; and can be dangerous to the human organism. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations Tamošiunas,¯ A.; Kiznys, D.; Lukšiene,˙ of geomagnetic storms (GSs) and other space weather events (solar proton events (SPEs), solar flares D.; Kranˇciukaite-Butylkinien˙ e,˙ D.; (SFs), high-speed solar wind (HSSW), interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and stream Radišauskas, R.