Abstract
Abstract. We have found a stratospheric area of anomalously low annual cycle amplitude and specific dynamics in the stratosphere over the northeastern Pacific–eastern Asia coastal region. Using GPS radio occultation density profiles from the Formosat Satellite Mission 3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC), we have discovered an internal gravity wave (IGW) activity and breaking hotspot in this region. Conditions supporting orographic wave sourcing and propagation were found. Other possible sources of wave activity in this region are listed. The reasons why this particular IGW activity hotspot was not discovered before as well as why the specific dynamics of this region have not been pointed out are discussed together with the weaknesses of using the mean potential energy as a wave activity proxy. Possible consequences of the specific dynamics in this region on the middle atmospheric dynamics and transport are outlined.
Highlights
In the atmosphere, internal gravity waves (IGWs) are a naturally occurring and ubiquitous, despite the fact that intermittent phenomena influencing its thermal and dynamical structure such as its angular momentum distribution
We have found a stratospheric area of anomalously low annual cycle amplitude and specific dynamics in the stratosphere over the northeastern Pacific–eastern Asia coastal region
Using GPS radio occultation density profiles from the Formosat Satellite Mission 3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC), we have discovered an internal gravity wave (IGW) activity and breaking hotspot in this region
Summary
Internal gravity waves (IGWs) are a naturally occurring and ubiquitous, despite the fact that intermittent (in the sense of larger amplitude wave packets, e.g. Hertzog et al, 2012; Wright et al, 2013) phenomena influencing its thermal and dynamical structure such as its angular momentum distribution. Internal gravity waves (IGWs) are a naturally occurring and ubiquitous, despite the fact that intermittent IGWs are vitally important in our understanding of the middle and upper atmosphere dynamics as reviewed comprehensively by Fritts and Alexander (2003). Ern et al (2011) suggested that IGWs strongly interact with the polar night jets in the mesosphere, and in the stratosphere. Due to the coupling between the stratosphere and troposphere (Hartley et al, 1998; Haynes et al, 1991), the indirect effect, in this specific case or generally, on surface conditions is unsurprising (Hardiman and Haynes, 2008; Haynes, 2005)
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