Abstract
Zonal forces generated by breaking planetary and gravity waves are crucial to understanding large-scale dynamics and transport in the middle atmosphere. These forces, sometimes called wave-drag, excite a pumping action that drives a meridional transport circulation. In the stratosphere the primary wave drag is exerted by planetary waves in the winter hemisphere. The transport circulation is characterized by rising motion at low latitudes, poleward drift, and sinking in high latitudes. In the mesosphere, on the other hand, the primary wave drag is exerted by breaking gravity waves. The mesospheric transport circulation is pole-to-pole; there is rising motion in the summer hemisphere, cross equatorial drift, and sinking in the winter hemisphere. The stratospheric and mesospheric transport circulations are consistent with the observed temperature structure, and can account for much of the observed behavior of long-lived trace constituents in the middle atmosphere.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
