A Lagrangian analysis of a sudden stratospheric warming - Comparison of a model simulation and LIMS observationsLagrangian area diagnostics and trajectory techniques are used to investigate the radiative and dynamical characteristics of a spontaneous sudden warming which occurred during a 2-yr Langley Research Center model simulation. The ability of the Langley Research Center GCM to simulate the major features of the stratospheric circulation during such highly disturbed periods is illustrated by comparison of the simulated warming to the observed circulation during the LIMS observation period. The apparent sink of vortex area associated with Rossby wave-breaking accounts for the majority of the reduction of the size of the vortex and also acts to offset the radiatively driven increase in the area occupied by the 'surf zone'. Trajectory analysis of selected material lines substantiates the conclusions from the area diagnostics.
Document ID
19930065367
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pierce, R. B. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Remsberg, Ellis E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Fairlie, T. D. (Science and Technology Corp. Hampton, VA, United States)
Blackshear, W. T. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Grose, William L. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Turner, Richard E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: In: Conference on the Middle Atmosphere, 8th, Atlanta, GA, Jan. 5-10, 1992, Preprints (A93-49361 21-47)