Nonlinear interactions of stationary planetary waves during February 2016 sudden stratospheric warming

Abstract

An analysis of nonlinear wave-wave and wave-mean flow interactions has been carried out during a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event in February 2016. This approach is based on a study of the perturbed potential enstrophy (Ertel’s potential vorticity squared) balance equation. The results obtained by using UK Met Office reanalysis data are presented. It has been shown that an increase in the nonlinear interactions occurs at higher-middle latitudes of the boreal stratosphere during the SSW. It is noted that it is necessary to include the stationary planetary wave with zonal wave number m=3 in the analysis of major warmings.