Vortex Preconditioning due to Planetary and Gravity Waves prior to Sudden Stratospheric Warmings

• Published in: Journal of the atmospheric sciences Vol. 71; no. 11; pp. 4028 - 4054
• Main Authors: Albers, John R., Birner, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston American Meteorological Society 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Displacement; Drag; Fluid flow; Gravity; Gravity waves; Meteorology; Planetary waves; Polar vortex; Preconditioning; Resonance; Stratosphere; Studies; Troposphere; Vortices

Reanalysis data are used to evaluate the evolution of polar vortex geometry, planetary wave drag, and gravity wave drag prior to split versus displacement sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). A composite analysis that extends upward to the lower mesosphere reveals that split SSWs are characterized...