Abstract
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 884-893 |
| Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 23 Jan 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Status | Published - 28 Jan 2016 |
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Combining AIRS and MLS observations for three-dimensional gravity wave measurement. / Wright, Corwin J.; Hindley, Neil P.; Mitchell, Nicholas J.
In: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 43, No. 2, 28.01.2016, p. 884-893.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Combining AIRS and MLS observations for three-dimensional gravity wave measurement
AU - Wright, Corwin J.
AU - Hindley, Neil P.
AU - Mitchell, Nicholas J.
PY - 2016/1/28
Y1 - 2016/1/28
N2 - Gravity waves play a critical role in transporting energy and momentum between the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere. Satellite measurements provide a powerful tool to investigate these waves across the globe. However, many present methods cannot yield reliable estimates of wave momentum fluxes or the directions of these fluxes. Here we present a new method which addresses this problem by combining observations from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) in three dimensions. The method allows direct estimation of horizontal and vertical wavelengths as well as wave amplitude. This in turn allows estimation of both wave momentum flux and the full 3-D direction of propagation, crucially including the horizontal direction. The method thus allows separation of the data into, for example, eastward and westward momentum fluxes, allowing estimation of the net atmospheric forcing due to these waves. We illustrate this method with a proof-of-concept study over the Andes, arguably the largest source of gravity waves in the world. We further critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of our method. Our study highlights the importance of the difference between net and absolute measures of momentum flux.
AB - Gravity waves play a critical role in transporting energy and momentum between the troposphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere. Satellite measurements provide a powerful tool to investigate these waves across the globe. However, many present methods cannot yield reliable estimates of wave momentum fluxes or the directions of these fluxes. Here we present a new method which addresses this problem by combining observations from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) and Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) in three dimensions. The method allows direct estimation of horizontal and vertical wavelengths as well as wave amplitude. This in turn allows estimation of both wave momentum flux and the full 3-D direction of propagation, crucially including the horizontal direction. The method thus allows separation of the data into, for example, eastward and westward momentum fluxes, allowing estimation of the net atmospheric forcing due to these waves. We illustrate this method with a proof-of-concept study over the Andes, arguably the largest source of gravity waves in the world. We further critically assess the advantages and disadvantages of our method. Our study highlights the importance of the difference between net and absolute measures of momentum flux.
UR - http://doi.org./10.1002/2015GL067233
UR - http://doi.org./10.1002/2015GL067233
U2 - 10.1002/grl.v43.2
DO - 10.1002/grl.v43.2
M3 - Article
VL - 43
SP - 884
EP - 893
JO - Geophysical Research Letters
T2 - Geophysical Research Letters
JF - Geophysical Research Letters
SN - 0094-8276
IS - 2
ER -