Analysis of synoptic scale controlling factors in the distribution of gravity wave potential energy

作者：Yang Shih Sian; Pan C J^*; Das Uma; Lai H C

来源：Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2015, 135: 126-135.

DOI：10.1016/j.jastp.2015.10.020

• Synoptic scale
• Gravity waves
• Extratropical cyclones
• Subtropical highs
• Intertropical Convergence Zone

In the past years, global morphology and climatology of gravity waves have been widely studied and the effects of topography and convection systems have been evaluated, but the complete gravity wave distribution could not be explained by these effects. To find the missing controlling factors, a series of synoptic scale analyses is performed in the present study to investigate relationships between synoptic scale factors and potential energy (E-p) associated with gravity waves. Global distribution of E-p during a 12-year period from 2002 to 2013 is derived using temperature profiles retrieved from observations of Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument onboard the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. Synoptic scale factors obtained from ECMWF Interim reanalysis data are employed to investigate the correlation between synoptic systems and E-p. It is found that E-p values are high around extratropical cyclones over mid-latitudes (30-60) and around the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over low-latitudes (10-30 degrees). E-p values are low around subtropical highs over both mid- and low-latitudes. This is the first time that a synoptic scale analysis of E-p distribution is performed, and the influence of synoptic scale factors on Ep confirmed.

• 出版日期2015-12
• 单位中央民族大学