Airborne observations of turbulence, mixing, and gravity waves in the tropopause region

Pavelin, Ed; Whiteway, J.; Busen, R.; Hacker, Jörg

doi:10.1029/2001jd000775

Cited by 41 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Vertical diffusivities derived from measurements in the free atmosphere are typically (0-1) m 2 s −1 (Pavelin et al, 2002). Only slightly larger values occur locally in buoyant plumes (Pisso et al, 2009) or in breaking gravity waves (Dörnbrack and Dürbeck, 1998).…”

Section: The Turbulence Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contrail cirrus prediction model

2012

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Abstract.A new model to simulate and predict the properties of a large ensemble of contrails as a function of given air traffic and meteorology is described. The model is designed for approximate prediction of contrail cirrus cover and analysis of contrail climate impact, e.g. within aviation system optimization processes. The model simulates the full contrail life-cycle. Contrail segments form between waypoints of individual aircraft tracks in sufficiently cold and humid air masses. The initial contrail properties depend on the aircraft. The advection and evolution of the contrails is followed with a Lagrangian Gaussian plume model. Mixing and bulk cloud processes are treated quasi analytically or with an effective numerical scheme. Contrails disappear when the bulk ice content is sublimating or precipitating. The model has been implemented in a "Contrail Cirrus Prediction Tool" (CoCiP). This paper describes the model assumptions, the equations for individual contrails, and the analysis-method for contrailcirrus cover derived from the optical depth of the ensemble of contrails and background cirrus. The model has been applied for a case study and compared to the results of other models and in-situ contrail measurements. The simple model reproduces a considerable part of observed contrail properties. Mid-aged contrails provide the largest contributions to the product of optical depth and contrail width, important for climate impact.

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Section: The Turbulence Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A contrail cirrus prediction model

2012

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“…In the vicinity of the thermal tropopause we find a strong vertical shear of the horizontal wind (approximately 0.02 s −1 ) induced by the tropospheric jet stream whose core region is located west of the Southern Island. In this region of vertical wind shear Ri decreases below the critical level value of 0.25, indicating dynamic instabilities and local turbulence (Pavelin et al, 2001(Pavelin et al, , 2002. Simultaneously, the gradient in the potential temperature is strongly attenuated.…”

Section: Turbulence In the Utls Regionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…With respect to an analysis of an adiabatic process, water vapor may serve as an excellent tracer for gravity waves in the troposphere to the lower stratosphere region, while ozone, for example, is a good tracer for the stratosphere. Previous studies investigated the effects of gravity waves on the ozone or carbon monoxide distribution (e.g., Langford et al, 1996;Teitelbaum et al, 1996;Schilling et al, 1999;Moustaoui et al, 2010), while the effects on water vapor are less discussed due to the complex interaction of sources and sinks of water vapor in the UTLS region, for example the possibility of condensation (Moustaoui et al, 1999;Pavelin et al, 2002). Schilling et al (1999) measured strong fluctuations in CO mixing ratios at a constant flight level (11.9 km) caused by mountain waves and calculated the vertical trace gas flux at this altitude.…”

Section: R Heller Et Al: Mountain Waves Modulate the Water Vapor DImentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gravity waves may cause or enhance turbulence by instabilities, wave breaking and dissipation (e.g., Pavelin et al, 2002; (ppmv s −1 ) λ h = 300 m-80 km λ h = 22-80 km FF04 leg1→leg2 7.7-8.9 3.0 × 10 −2 −2.9 × 10 −2 FF04 leg2→leg3 8.9-10.8 −1.5 × 10 −3 −1.1 × 10 −3 FF05 leg1→leg2 7.7-8.9 5.2 × 10 −2 4.6 × 10 −2 FF05 leg2→leg3 8.9-10.8 −3.2 × 10 −3 −2.2 × 10 −3 FF05/RF16 leg3 (FF05)→leg4 (RF16) 10.8-12.0 2.4 × 10 −4 −9.0 × 10 −4 RF16 leg4→leg5 12.0-13.0 −7.9 × 10 −5 −5.8 × 10 −5 Fritts and Alexander, 2003;Whiteway et al, 2003). Here, we use dropsonde launches from the GV to investigate turbulence potentially induced by the mountain waves which may cause mixing of trace species in the measurement region.…”

Section: Turbulence In the Utls Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mountain waves modulate the water vapor distribution in the UTLS

et al. 2017

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Abstract. The water vapor distribution in the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere (UTLS) region has a strong impact on the atmospheric radiation budget. Transport and mixing processes on different scales mainly determine the water vapor concentration in the UTLS. Here, we investigate the effect of mountain waves on the vertical transport and mixing of water vapor. For this purpose we analyze measurements of water vapor and meteorological parameters recorded by the DLR Falcon and NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V research aircraft taken during the Deep Propagating Gravity Wave Experiment (DEEPWAVE) in New Zealand. By combining different methods, we develop a new approach to quantify location, direction and irreversibility of the water vapor transport during a strong mountain wave event on 4 July 2014. A large positive vertical water vapor flux is detected above the Southern Alps extending from the troposphere to the stratosphere in the altitude range between 7.7 and 13.0 km. Wavelet analysis for the 8.9 km altitude level shows that the enhanced upward water vapor transport above the mountains is caused by mountain waves with horizontal wavelengths between 22 and 60 km. A downward transport of water vapor with 22 km wavelength is observed in the lee-side of the mountain ridge. While it is a priori not clear whether the observed fluxes are irreversible, low Richardson numbers derived from dropsonde data indicate enhanced turbulence in the tropopause region related to the mountain wave event. Together with the analysis of the water vapor to ozone correlation, we find indications for vertical transport followed by irreversible mixing of water vapor.For our case study, we further estimate greater than 1 W m −2 radiative forcing by the increased water vapor concentrations in the UTLS above the Southern Alps of New Zealand, resulting from mountain waves relative to unperturbed conditions. Hence, mountain waves have a great potential to affect the water vapor distribution in the UTLS. Our regional study may motivate further investigations of the global effects of mountain waves on the UTLS water vapor distributions and its radiative effects.

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“…But the role of turbulence is not clear and its understanding requires simultaneous observation of atmospheric turbulence and tracers, e.g., ozone. Aircraft and ozonesonde measurements of atmospheric dynamics and ozone transport were described by Pavelin et al [2002] and Whiteway et al [2003]. Also Krishna Reddy et al [2003] compared measurements of surface ozone with the wind profiler data from Gadanki, India.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined MU radar and ozonesonde measurements of turbulence and ozone fluxes in the tropo‐stratosphere over Shigaraki, Japan

Гаврилов

Fukao

Hashiguchi

et al. 2006

Geophysical Research Letters

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Turbulent diffusivity and turbulent ozone fluxes in the tropo‐stratosphere are studied employing simultaneous observations with the Middle and Upper (MU) Atmosphere radar and ozonesondes in Shigaraki, Japan during April 16–24, 1998. A broad region around the tropopause was dynamically active. Maxima of turbulent diffusivity were observed at 8–14 km altitude. Such maxima may produce vertical turbulent ozone fluxes across the tropopause with magnitudes comparable to those required for the global ozone budget. Meso‐meteorological ozone intrusions may enhance the fluxes.

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Airborne observations of turbulence, mixing, and gravity waves in the tropopause region

Cited by 41 publications

References 9 publications

A contrail cirrus prediction model

A contrail cirrus prediction model

Mountain waves modulate the water vapor distribution in the UTLS

Combined MU radar and ozonesonde measurements of turbulence and ozone fluxes in the tropo‐stratosphere over Shigaraki, Japan

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