Tropospheric-stratospheric exchange, part 1.1A

Much of the observational evidence of large scale tropospheric-stratospheric exchange has been obtained by radiosonde and satellite radiane data. So far mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radars have made mininal contributions, in part due to their recent use as a meteorological tool, intermittent operation at some facilities and sparse geographic distribution. However, as more MST facilities come on-line in more locations, the good time and height resolution data throughtout the troposphere and much of the stratosphere obtainable by MST radars will enhance the detail of stratospheric and tropospheric circulations and interactions. On smaller scales MST radars have already been used to examine convective forcing from the troposphere into the stratosphere and subsequent launching of gravity waves (LARSEN et al., 1982). Observations of persistent turbulent layers in the stratosphere over Arecibo, attributable to inertial oscillations, appear to propagate away from a source region near the tropopause (SATO and WOODMAN, 1982). MST radars offer the availability of high resolution wind data in height and time needed to observe interactions between the troposphere and stratosphere. The lack of geographic coverage (e.g., equatorial regions) and insufficient data bases at many MST facilities presently inhibit studies of large-scale interactions. At present MST radars can be used to examine smaller scale interactions.