Characteristics of Gravity Waves in Opposing Phases of the QBO: A Reanalysis Perspective with ERA5

TL;DR

This study uses ERA5 reanalysis data from 1979-2019 to analyze gravity wave characteristics during opposing QBO phases, revealing asymmetries, selective filtering, and structural changes in wave propagation related to the QBO.

Contribution

It provides a detailed reanalysis-based characterization of gravity wave behavior during different QBO phases, confirming theoretical mechanisms and revealing three-dimensional wave structures.

Findings

Westward waves suppressed during easterly QBO

Eastward waves suppressed during westerly QBO

Gravity wave structures are affected by background zonal flow

Abstract

ERA5 data for the period of 1979-2019 are used as a basis for investigating the properties of gravity waves as they disperse and propagate upward through the stratosphere during opposing phases of the QBO. Two-sided zonal wavenumber-frequency spectra of vertical velocity in the stratosphere exhibit distinctive gravity wave signatures. Consistent with theory, westward propagating waves tend to be suppressed during the easterly QBO phase and eastward propagating waves tend to be suppressed during the westerly phase. Cospectra of the vertical flux of zonal momentum also show significant asymmetries between eastward and westward propagating waves during opposing QBO phases. Phase speed spectra of the vertical flux of momentum are indicative of a strong dissipation of westward propagating gravity waves during the easterly phase and vice versa; i.e., a selective "wind filtering" of the waves as they propagate upward. The three-dimensional structure of the gravity waves is revealed by compositing. In the absence of a background zonal flow, the waves radiate outward and upward from their respective reference grid points in concentric rings. When a zonal flow is present, the rings are amplified and compressed upstream of the source and attenuated and stretched downstream of it, such that they assume the form of arcs. These results serve to confirm the applicability of the mechanism proposed by Lindzen and Holton (1968) to explain the downward propagation of the QBO. The QBO also influences the spectrum of gravity waves in ERA5 at 100 hPa, below the layer in which wind-filtering occurs.