Mesosphere summer echoes, temperature, and meridional wind variations at mid- and polar latitudes

Abstract

VHF Radar echoes in the summer mesosphere at mid- and polar latitudes ([P]MSE—[polar] mesosphere summer echoes) are connected with very cold temperatures where ice particles can exist. Temperature variations can cause conditions for the generation and evaporation of ice particles and affect the [P]MSE occurrence. The impact of temperature and meridional wind oscillations on [P]MSE is described. Generally at mid-latitudes, strong mesosphere summer echoes are strongly affected by meridional wind variations if the mean temperature is near the frost point of water vapor. In contrast, at polar latitudes there is mostly no significant impact of the meridional wind on radar echoes. A mean temperature well below the frost point and a weaker meridional temperature gradient than at mid-latitudes are reasons for this reduced influence. Due to higher temperatures in 2002, long period temperature and meridional wind variations impact the PMSE more than during the other years.