Multilayer Observations and Modeling of Thunderstorm‐Generated Gravity Waves Over the Midwestern United States

Heale, C. J.; Snively, J. B.; Bhatt, Asti; Hoffmann, Lars; Stephan, Claudia Christine; Kendall, E. A.

doi:10.1029/2019gl085934

Cited by 18 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) propagate in the Earth's atmosphere and can be depicted by linear wave theory. They are launched from atmospheric phenomena such as jet stream adjustments and wind flow over mountains (Alexander et al., 1995; Becker & Vadas, 2018; Choi et al., 2007; Chun & Kim, 2008; Heale, Bossert, et al., 2020; Heale, Lund, & Fritts, 2020; Heale et al., 2019; Holton & Alexander, 1999; Lane et al., 2003; X. Liu et al., 2014; Sentman et al., 2003; Snively, 2013; Taylor & Hapgood, 1988; Vadas & Becker, 2018). Tropospheric deep convection such as thunderstorms and tropical cyclones are also common sources for GWs worldwide (Dewan et al., 1998; Fritts & Alexander, 2003; Hoffmann & Alexander, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermospheric Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances in Austral Winter From GOCE and CHAMP

Vadas

Yue

2021

JGR Space Physics

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In this study, we analyze the thermospheric density data provided by the Gravity Field and Steady‐State Ocean Circulation Explorer during June–August 2010–2013 at ∼260 km altitude and the Challenging Minisatellite Payload during June–August 2004–2007 at ∼370 km altitude to study high latitude traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) in austral winter. We extract the TADs along the satellite tracks from the density for varying Kp, and linearly extrapolate the TAD distribution to Kp = 0; we call these the geomagnetic “quiet time” results here. We find that the quiet time spatial distribution of TADs depends on the spatial scale (along‐track horizontal wavelength λtrack) and altitude. At z ∼ 260 km, TADs with λtrack ≤ 330 km are seen mainly around and slightly downstream of the Southern Andes‐Antarctic region, while TADs with λtrack > 800 km are distributed fairly evenly around the geographic South pole at latitudes ≥60°S. At z ∼ 370 km, TADs with λtrack ≤ 330 km are relatively weak and are distributed fairly evenly over Antarctica, while TADs with λtrack > 330 km make up a bipolar distribution. For the latter, the larger size lobe is centered at ∼60°S, and is located around, downstream and somewhat upstream of the Andes/Antarctic Peninsula, while the smaller lobe is located over the Antarctic continent at 90°–150°E. We also find that the TAD morphology for Kp ≥ 2 and λtrack > 330 km depends strongly on geomagnetic activity, likely due to auroral activity, with greatly enhanced TAD amplitudes with increasing Kp.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermospheric Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances in Austral Winter From GOCE and CHAMP

Vadas

Yue

2021

JGR Space Physics

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“…CGCAM and other models using ∼2 km or better resolution are able to describe these "gray zone" dynamics with reasonable fidelity. Such studies enable quantification of a diversity of MW and more general GW dynam-ics, including GW instabilities, amplitude reductions, intermittency, and SGW generation extending into the stratosphere and above (Doyle et al, 2005;Fritts et al, 2021Fritts et al, , 2018Heale et al, 2019;Lund et al, 2020;Mixa et al, 2021;Vosper, 2015;Vosper et al, 2016Vosper et al, , 2019. The local responses can provide guidance for improved sub-grid-scale parameterizations, especially as they extend to even higher resolutions and higher effective Reynolds numbers.…”

Section: Implications For Global Modeling Of Gw Dynamics and Responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Limited Model Resolution on the Representation of Mountain Wave and Secondary Gravity Wave Dynamics in Local and Global Models. 1: Mountain Waves in the Stratosphere and Mesosphere

Fritts

Lund

et al. 2022

JGR Atmospheres

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Long‐term efforts have sought to extend global model resolution to smaller scales enabling more accurate descriptions of gravity wave (GW) sources and responses, given their major roles in coupling and variability throughout the atmosphere. Such studies reveal significant improvements accompanying increasing resolution, but no guidance on what is sufficient to approximate reality. We take the opposite approach, using a finite‐volume model solving the Navier‐Stokes equations exactly. The reference simulation addresses mountain wave (MW) generation and responses over the Southern Andes described using isotropic 500 m, central resolution by Fritts et al. (2021), https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-20-0207.1 and Lund et al. (2020), https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-19-0356.1. Reductions of horizontal resolution to 1 and 2 km result in (a) systematic increases in initial MW breaking altitudes, (b) weaker, larger‐scale generation of secondary GWs and acoustic waves accompanying these dynamics, and (c) significantly weaker and less extended responses in the mesosphere in latitude and longitude. Horizontal resolution of 4 km largely suppresses instabilities, but allows weak, sustained mean‐flow interactions. Responses for 8 km resolution are very weak and fail to capture any aspects of the high‐resolution responses. The chosen mean winds allow efficient MW penetration into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, hence only exhibit strong pseudo‐momentum deposition and mean wind decelerations at higher altitudes. A companion paper by Fritts et al. (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD036035 explores the impacts of decreasing resolution on responses in the thermosphere.

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“…Their work complemented the theoretical basis proposed by Vadas and Becker (2019). Also, numerous simulation studies (e.g., Heale et al., 2019, 2020; Lane et al., 2001, 2003) have extensively studied the generation, propagation, and dissipation of both convective and non‐convective GWs. Heale et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations on Concentric Gravity Wave Sources Over the Brazilian Equatorial Region

et al. 2022

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Observations of concentric gravity waves (CGWs) in the OH airglow emission over the Brazilian equatorial region are presented. An all‐sky imager installed at São João do Cariri [7.4°S, 36.5°W] was used to acquire near‐infrared OH images. Using over 19 years of observational data from 2000 to 2019, more than 1,052 clear sky nights of airglow data were acquired with a total of 25 observed CGW cases. Three CGW events were selected for this study. These waves had small‐scale characteristics and well‐defined concentric structures. The selected CGW events showed horizontal wavelengths λH ∼ 31.9, 42.5, and 30.9 km, horizontal phase speeds cH ∼ 49.2, 57.6, and 74.1 m/s, and periods τ ∼ 10.8, 12.3, and 7.0 min, respectively. The CGW structures were well defined, with coherent wave patterns expanding concentrically from the source point, with the observed events having semi‐circle or arc‐like and semi‐elliptical shapes. We found the occurrence of the CGWs to coincide with the seasons of intense tropospheric convective activity and low background winds. This suggests little or no wave breaking, critical level absorption, and filtering or reflection, thereby allowing the CGWs to propagate up to the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. Using backward ray tracing, we also found the positions and times where and when the ray paths reached the tropopause. The tropopause positions and times of two of the CGW events coincide with active convective systems with cold cloud top temperatures. However, the tropopause position of one of the 3 CGW events did not coincide with any active convective system, suggesting that this CGW was most likely generated in‐situ.

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Multilayer Observations and Modeling of Thunderstorm‐Generated Gravity Waves Over the Midwestern United States

Cited by 18 publications

References 68 publications

Thermospheric Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances in Austral Winter From GOCE and CHAMP

Thermospheric Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances in Austral Winter From GOCE and CHAMP

Impacts of Limited Model Resolution on the Representation of Mountain Wave and Secondary Gravity Wave Dynamics in Local and Global Models. 1: Mountain Waves in the Stratosphere and Mesosphere

Investigations on Concentric Gravity Wave Sources Over the Brazilian Equatorial Region

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