A coordinated study of 1 h mesoscale gravity waves propagating from Logan to Boulder with CRRL Na Doppler lidars and temperature mapper

作者:Lu Xian*; Chen Cao; Huang Wentao; Smith John A; Chu Xinzhao; Yuan Tao; Pautet Pierre Dominique; Taylor Mike J; Gong Jie; Cullens Chihoko Y
来源:JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, 2015, 120(19): 10006-10021.
DOI:10.1002/2015JD023604

摘要

We present the first coordinated study using two lidars at two separate locations to characterize a 1 h mesoscale gravity wave event in the mesopause region. The simultaneous observations were made with the Student Training and Atmospheric Research (STAR) Na Doppler lidar at Boulder, CO, and the Utah State University Na Doppler lidar and temperature mapper at Logan, UT, on 27 November 2013. The high precision possessed by the STAR lidar enabled these waves to be detected in vertical wind. The mean wave amplitudes are similar to 0.44 m/s in vertical wind and similar to 1% in relative temperature at altitudes of 82-107 km. Those in the zonal and meridional winds are 6.1 and 5.2 m/s averaged from 84 to 99 km. The horizontal and vertical wavelengths inferred from the mapper and lidars are similar to 219 +/- 4 and 16.0 +/- 0.3 km, respectively. The intrinsic period is similar to 1.3 h for the airglow layer, Doppler shifted by a mean wind of similar to 17 m/s. The wave packet propagates from Logan to Boulder with an azimuth angle of similar to 135 degrees clockwise from north and an elevation angle of similar to 3 degrees from the horizon. The observed phase difference between the two locations can be explained by the traveling time of the 1 h wave from Logan to Boulder, which is about similar to 2.4 h. The wave polarization relations are examined through the simultaneous quantifications of the three wind components and temperature. This study has developed a systematic methodology for fully characterizing mesoscale gravity waves, inspecting their intrinsic properties and validating the derivation of horizontal wave structures by applying multiple instruments from coordinated stations.

  • 出版日期2015-10-16