Abstract
Abstract. Fast gravity waves (GW) have an important impact on the momentum transfer between the middle and upper atmosphere. Experiments with a circulation model indicate a penetration of high phase speed GW into the thermosphere as well as an indirect propagation of planetary waves by the modulation GW of momentum fluxes into the thermosphere. Planetary wave characteristics derived from middle atmosphere SABER temperatures, GW potential energy and ionospheric GPS-TEC data at midlatitudes reveal a possible correspondence of PW signatures in the middle atmosphere and ionosphere in winter around solar maximum (2002–2005). In the case of the westward propagating 16-day wave with zonal wavenumber 1 a possible connection could be found in data analysis (November–December 2003) and model simulation. Accordingly, GW with high phase speeds might play an essential role in the transfer of PW and other meteorological disturbances up to the ionospheric F-region.
Highlights
Ionospheric variations have a disturbing impact on GPS navigation systems and radio communication
Planetary wave characteristics derived from middle atmosphere SABER temperatures, gravity waves (GW) potential energy and ionospheric GPS-total electron content (TEC) data at midlatitudes reveal a possible correspondence of planetary wave (PW) signatures in the middle atmosphere and ionosphere in winter around solar maximum (2002–2005)
By comparing the pattern of the direct and indirect PW amplitude distribution we found an extension of the 16-day wave into the thermosphere through GW modulation (Fig. 6, right)
Summary
Ionospheric variations have a disturbing impact on GPS navigation systems and radio communication. New knowledge about characteristic of planetary wave (PW) like structures coming from the lower atmosphere are expected. For this purpose comparisons with other meteorological observations (reanalyses, satellites) will give more insight into a possible coupling (e.g. Borries et al, 2007; Borries and Hoffmann, 2010; Goncharenko et al, 2010; Hoffmann et al, 2011). It is supposed that fast small scale gravity waves (GW) excited in the troposphere are able to penetrate the thermosphere/ionosphere system and transfer momentum and indirect properties of PW through GW modulation. This indirect signal of PW is usually identified as the PW signature (PWS).
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