Dynamical phenomena in the equatorial middle atmosphere during northern winter 1978-1979

Data from the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) on the Nimbus-7 spacecraft were used to calculate the temperature and zonal wind structure of the equatorial stratosphere and lower mesosphere during the period October 25, 1978 to May 28, 1979. Interactions between the descending westerly shear zone of the semiannual oscillation and upward propagating Kelvin waves are described. Inertial instability may be influencing the zonal wind in midwinter.