Generation of waves by jet-stream instabilities in winter polar stratosphere/mesosphere

Abstract

In the paper we investigate the manifestation of large-scale and middle-scale atmospheric irregularities observed on stratosphere/mesosphere heights. We consider typical patterns of circulation in stratosphere and lower mesosphere which are formed due to a difference of air potential energy between equatorial and polar latitudes, especially in polar night conditions. On the base of ECMWF Era Interim reanalysis data we consider the dynamics of midlatitude winter jet-streams which transfer heat from low latitudes to polar region and which develop due to equator/pole baroclinic instabilities. We consider typical patterns of general circulation in stratosphere/lower mesosphere and reasons for creation of flaky structure of polar stratosphere. Also we analyze conditions that are favorable for splitting of winter circumpolar vortex during sudden stratosphere warming events and role of phase difference tides in this process. The analysis of vertical structure of the stratosphere wind shows the presence of regions with significant shear of horizontal velocity which favors for inducing of shear-layer instability that appears as gravity wave on boundary surface. During powerful sudden stratosphere warming events the main jet-stream can amplify these gravity waves to very high amplitudes that causes wave overturning and releasing of wave energy into the heat due to the cascade breakdown and turbulence. For the dynamics observed in reanalysis data we consider physical mechanisms responsible for observed phenomena.