Observations of gravity wave forcing of themesopause region during the January 2013 major Sudden Stratospheric Warming

TL;DR

This study provides observational evidence of gravity wave momentum flux divergence in the mesopause region during the January 2013 major Sudden Stratospheric Warming, highlighting its role in forcing the middle atmosphere.

Contribution

It offers the first continuous observational validation of gravity wave forcing during an SSW using high-resolution meteor radar data.

Findings

GW momentum flux divergence occurs 6 days before SSW onset.

GW forcing switches from eastward to westward during the SSW.

Maximum eastward GW forcing observed was approximately +145 m/s/d.

Abstract

Studies of vertical and interhemispheric coupling during Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) suggest that gravity wave (GW) momentum flux divergence plays a key role in forcing the middle atmosphere, although observational validation of GW forcing is limited. We present a whole atmosphere view of zonal winds from the surface to 100 km during the January 2013 major SSW, together with observed GW momentum fluxes in the mesopause region derived from uninterrupted high-resolution meteor radar observations from an All-Sky Interferometric Meteor Radar system located at Trondheim, Norway (63.4 $^{\circ}$N, 10.5 $^{\circ}$E). Observations show GW momentum flux divergence 6 days prior to the SSW onset, producing an eastward forcing with peak values of $\sim$+145 $\pm$ 60m $s^{-1}$ $d^{-1}$. As the SSW evolves, GW forcing turns westward, reaching a minimum of $\sim$-240 $\pm$ 70 m $s^{-1}$ $d^{-1}$ $\sim$+18 days after the SSW onset. These results are discussed in light of previous studies and simulations using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with Specified Dynamics.