Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere Region Research Articles

Influence of temperature changes and vertically transported trace species on the structure of MLT region during major SSW events

Sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events are large-scale dynamic phenomena which can significantly affect the circulation, temperature, and composition of different atmospheric layers. The circulation changes during these events induce variations in the atmospheric neutral and ion densities and cause the vertical transport of various trace species. The severity of effects induced by major SSW events in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region has received less attention than that in the lower atmosphere. The major influence of temperature and vertically transported trace species on the energetics, thermal and compositional structure of the MLT region has been investigated during two major SSW events with elevated stratopause. Variations in the nitric oxide volume emission rates (NO-VER), a measure of infrared radiative cooling by NO, are reported for the first time in the context of the dynamical changes during SSW events. This study investigates the role of temperature and NO variability on the energetics of the MLT region, particularly during the formation of elevated stratopause. The effects of supplemented NO density on the secondary ozone layer has also been investigated during these events, the anti-correlation between secondary ozone and NO does not conclude on the role of NO in the secondary ozone peak density variations. Notwithstanding the similarity in terms of defining characteristics, both SSW events impact the secondary ozone layer differently. In contrast to earlier studies, it is suggested that along with temperature, the availability of atomic oxygen is the major factor for the observed variation in secondary ozone during the SSW events.

High-time-resolution analysis of meridional tides in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere at mid-latitudes measured by the Falkland Islands SuperDARN radar

Abstract. Solar tides play a major role in the dynamics of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of these tides is important for successful modelling of the MLT region. Most ground-based observations of tidal variations in the MLT have been from meteor radar measurements with a temporal resolution of 1 h. Here, we take a different perspective on these tidal variations using high-resolution 1 min neutral-wind measurements from the Falkland Islands SuperDARN (Super Dual Auroral Radar Network) radar. This analysis shows that these higher-resolution data can be used to identify higher frequency tidal components than are typically observed by meteor radars (up to a heptadiurnal component). It also shows evidence of significant power in these higher frequency components, particularly in the quaddiurnal component, which may be particularly suitable for a global analysis using high-resolution SuperDARN neutral-wind measurements. The high-resolution analysis also shows evidence of fluctuations with a frequency of 1.5 cycles per day, as well as higher-frequency fluctuations, accompanying a quasi-2 d (two day) wave. We discuss the limitations of this high-resolution analysis method and the new opportunities that it may provide. We conclude that higher-resolution SuperDARN neutral-wind measurements need to be better exploited in the future as they provide a complementary way of studying tides and waves in the MLT.

Seasonal and Interannual Variations of Global Tides in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere Neutral Winds: II. Semidiurnal and Terdiurnal Tides

AbstractIn the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region, semidiurnal and terdiurnal tides are dominant at middle and high latitudes and are important for the dynamics and structures. Using the global neutral horizontal wind data in the MLT region observed by TIMED Doppler interferometer from 2002 to 2021, the seasonal and interannual variations of six semidiurnal and terdiurnal tidal components (SW2, SW3, SW4, TW3, TW2 and TW4) are investigated. Particularly, the responses of these tidal components to the stratospheric quasi‐biennial oscillation (SQBO) and the solar cycle are presented. The results indicate that: (a) seasonal and interannual variations of these tidal components are pronounced in their peak regions. The peak region is defined as the region where the ratio of the annual mean amplitude to the maximum annual mean amplitude is larger than 0.8. (b) In their peak regions, migrating tidal components exhibit strong seasonal variations at annual (annual oscillations (AO)), semiannual (semiannual oscillations (SAO)) and terannual (terannual oscillations (TAO)) periods, whereas nonmigrating tidal components only exhibit prominent AO and SAO. (c) In their peak regions, the responses of the annual mean amplitudes of these tidal components to SQBO are negative; the responses of migrating tidal components to solar cycle are negative whereas those of nonmigrating tidal components are positive. (d) For these tidal components, the responses of the amplitudes of seasonal variations to SQBO and solar cycle are weaker than their annual mean amplitudes, and the latitude × altitude response patterns are not always consistent with those of the annual mean amplitudes.

The Lower Thermospheric Winter‐To‐Summer Meridional Circulation: 2. Impact on Atomic Oxygen

AbstractAs a companion study of the Part 1 (J. C. Wang et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030948), the impact of the lower‐thermospheric circulation on atomic oxygen (O) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region is investigated in this Part 2 using Specified Dynamics Configuration Runs of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model eXtended (SD‐WACCMX) output. The asymmetry of the O profile in the summer and winter MLT region is mainly driven by local vertical advection, which is associated with the lower‐thermospheric winter‐to‐summer circulation and middle‐to‐upper thermospheric summer‐to‐winter circulation. It is found that meridional transport and eddy diffusion only weakly modulate the O budget within this altitude range. The globally and annually averaged transport effect due to the vertical advection is quantitatively estimated. It is shown that the vertical advection is the dominant mechanism in redistributing O at altitudes between 84 and 103 km, suggesting the vertical wind can efficiently transport O between its source and sink region within the vertical column. This study demonstrates that whole atmosphere coupling on seasonal time scales is a complex interaction involving multiple underlying mechanisms within the space‐atmosphere interaction region.

Design of a Data Acquisition, Correction and Retrieval of Na Doppler Lidar for Diurnal Measurement of Temperature and Wind in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere Region

Based on the resonance fluorescence scattering mechanism, a narrowband sodium (Na) lidar can measure temperature and wind in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region. By using a narrowband spectral filter, background light noise during the day can be suppressed, allowing for continuous observations. To obtain full-diurnal-cycle temperature and wind measurement results, a complex and precise retrieval process is required, along with necessary corrections to minimize measurement errors. This paper introduces the design of a data acquisition unit for three frequencies in three directions of the Na lidar system in the Chinese Meridian Project (Phase II) and investigates the calibration and retrieval methods for obtaining diurnal temperature and horizontal wind in the MLT region, using a Na Doppler lidar with Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (FADOF). Furthermore, these methods are applied to observations conducted by a Na lidar in Beijing, China. The wind and temperature results over full diurnal cycles obtained from the all-solid-state Na Doppler lidar are reported for the first time and compared with temperature measurements from satellite, as well as wind observations from a meteor radar. The comparison demonstrates a reasonable agreement between the results, indicating the rationality of the lidar-retrieved results and the feasibility and effectiveness of the data correction and retrieval method.

Intraseasonal Variation in the Mesosphere Observed by the Mengcheng Meteor Radar from 2015 to 2020

The intraseasonal oscillations (30–100 days, ISO) in the MLT (mesosphere and lower thermosphere) horizontal wind are investigated based on observations from the Mengcheng meteor radar. There is a clear seasonal variation in ISO in the horizontal wind at 80 km, which is strongest during the winter and weakest during the summer. At 100 km, ISO occurs throughout most of the year except winter, and there are significant differences in periods and amplitudes from year to year. From 2015 to 2016, ISOs with periods of 40–60 days were present in the 100 km horizontal wind, whereas none were simultaneously observed in the 80 km horizontal wind. Cross wavelets were used to study the relationship between ISO in the MLT region and ISO in the lower atmosphere. Some of the ISO activity is linked to tropospheric tropical convective activity, but the ISO connections with that in tropospheric convection are not consistent in the upper mesosphere and in the lower thermosphere.

NN‐MLT Model Prediction for Low‐Latitude Region Based on Artificial Neural Network and Long‐Term SABER Observations

AbstractThe low‐latitude mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) regions are distinct and, highly turbulent transition zones in Earth's atmosphere. The scarcity of reliable measurements makes continuous monitoring of these areas challenging. Therefore, the necessity for studies focused on the MLT region cannot be overstated, as they are essential for developing effective models that meet the accuracy requirements of satellite‐based observations. The neural networks NN‐MLT model, developed using 15 years of Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/satellite, equipped with Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) observed temperature data spanning from January 2006 to December 2020, employs neural network techniques. The data set was split, with 90% used for training and the remaining 10% allocated for prediction. The model's validation was tested with two other partitions (80(20) and 70(30)). The 90(10) partition, exhibiting a high correlation coefficient (R), low standard deviation (σ), and low root mean square error (RMSE), demonstrated the model's good performance. As clearly shown from statistical metrics (R, RMSE, mean, and σ) at three specific altitude levels (60, 75, and 90 km), the NN‐MLT model's performance aligns closely with the empirical model (NRLMSISE2‐0) and SABER observations. The NN‐MLT model displays a high R (0.74) and low RMSE (4.35 K) at 60 km, indicating its effective performance compared to the other two heights of 75 and 90 km. The NN‐MLT model's spatiotemporal variability in MLT temperature prediction agrees well with the SABER data at all altitudes, particularly at 60 km. While the NN‐MLT model accurately captures the seasonal variations of MLT temperature, the analysis leads to the conclusion that it consistently outperforms the empirical model and aligns closely with observations.

Progress in investigating long-term trends in the mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere

Abstract. This article reviews main progress in investigations of long-term trends in the mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere over the period 2018–2022. Overall this progress may be considered significant. The research was most active in the area of trends in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Contradictions on CO2 concentration trends in the MLT region have been solved; in the mesosphere trends do not differ statistically from trends near the surface. The results of temperature trends in the MLT region are generally consistent with older results but are developed and detailed further. Trends in temperatures might significantly vary with local time and height in the whole height range of 30–110 km. Observational data indicate different wind trends in the MLT region up to the sign of the trend in different geographic regions, which is supported by model simulations. Changes in semidiurnal tide were found to differ according to altitude and latitude. Water vapor concentration was found to be the main driver of positive trends in brightness and occurrence frequency of noctilucent clouds (NLCs), whereas cooling through mesospheric shrinking is responsible for a slight decrease in NLC heights. The research activity in the thermosphere was substantially lower. The negative trend of thermospheric density continues without any evidence of a clear dependence on solar activity, which results in an increasing concentration of dangerous space debris. Significant progress was reached in long-term trends in the E-region ionosphere, namely in foE (critical frequency of E region, corresponding to its maximum electron density). These trends were found to depend principally on local time up to their sign; this dependence is strong at European high midlatitudes but much less pronounced at European low midlatitudes. In the ionospheric F2 region very long data series (starting at 1947) of foF2 (critical frequency of F2 region, corresponding to the maximum electron density in the ionosphere) revealed very weak but statistically significant negative trends. First results of long-term trends were reported for the topside ionosphere electron densities (near 840 km), the equatorial plasma bubbles, and the polar mesospheric summer echoes. The most important driver of trends in the upper atmosphere is the increasing concentration of CO2, but other drivers also play a role. The most studied one was the effect of the secular change in the Earth's magnetic field. The results of extensive modeling reveal the dominance of secular magnetic change in trends in foF2 and its height (hmF2), total electron content, and electron temperature in the sector of about 50∘ S–20∘ N, 60∘ W–20∘ E. However, its effect is locally both positive and negative, so in the global average this effect is negligible. The first global simulation with WACCM-X (Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model eXtended) for changes in temperature excited by anthropogenic trace gases simultaneously from the surface to the base of the exosphere provides results generally consistent with observational patterns of trends. Simulation of ionospheric trends over the whole Holocene (9455 BCE–2015) was reported for the first time. Various problems of long-term-trend calculations are also discussed. There are still various challenges in the further development of our understanding of long-term trends in the upper atmosphere. The key problem is the long-term trends in dynamics, particularly in activity of atmospheric waves, which affect all layers of the upper atmosphere. At present we only know that these trends might be regionally different, even opposite.

A Modeling Study on the Responses of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) Temperature to the Initial and Main Phases of Geomagnetic Storms at High Latitudes

AbstractJoule heating and radiative cooling usually play key roles in high‐latitude thermospheric temperature changes during geomagnetic storms. In the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), however, the causes of storm‐time temperature changes at high latitudes are still elusive. Here, we elucidate the nature and mechanisms of MLT temperature variations at high latitudes during the 10 September 2005 storm by diagnostically analyzing the MLT thermodynamics in the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIMEGCM) simulations. In the storm's initial and main phases, the MLT temperature decreases at 0:00 local time (LT)−12:00 LT, but increases in the 12:00 LT–24:00 LT sector at high latitudes. Afterward, the temperature decrease disappears and temperature increase occurs at all local times in the high latitudes. Adiabatic heating/cooling and vertical advection associated with vertical winds are the main drivers of high‐latitude temperature changes in the entire altitude range of the MLT region. However, around the auroral oval and above ∼100 km, the Joule heating rate is comparable to the heating caused by vertical advection and adiabatic heating/cooling associated with vertical winds and becomes one of the major contributors to total heating in the high‐latitude MLT region. The effects of Joule heating can penetrate down to ∼95 km. Horizontal advection also plays a key role in storm‐time MLT temperature changes inside the polar cap and becomes larger than the adiabatic heating/cooling above ∼105 km.

Studies on the variability of mean winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region (MLT) over Kolhapur (16.8oN, 74.2oE)

We present the study of mesospheric winds in the 78–98 km height range using observations by a partial reflection radar station (MF–radar) situated at Kolhapur (16.8° N, 74.2° E), India. The sequential wind profiles over the period of 2014–2019 obtained from this radar operated at 1.98 MHz are used for this study. To delineate the behaviour of the winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region, we use wind data providing horizontal wind velocities averaged for an hour. Details of the seasonal, annual, and inter-annual variations and also the climatology of mean motion in zonal (East-West) and meridional (North-South) components in the MLT region over the aforementioned period are presented. The zonal wind below 90 km has been observed with eastward flow for the period of solstices and westward flow at equinoxes, showing strong semi-annual oscillations (SAO). While above 90 km, annual oscillations (AO) are seen to be dominant. Annual oscillations (AO) are observed in the mean meridional wind, with poleward motion during winter and equatorward motion during the remaining seasons. At higher altitudes (above 92 km), the poleward motion weakens and the equatorward wind flow becomes strong.

Observational Evidence of Nonlinear Wave‐Wave Interaction Over Antarctic MLT Region

AbstractUsing meteor radar observations over King Sejong Station (62.22°S, 58.78°W) in the Antarctic Peninsula, we investigated the wave‐wave interaction in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region. We analyzed hourly horizontal wind measurements at altitudes of 84–96 km from March 2016 through February 2017 and found that the MLT region is dominated by a semidiurnal tide (SDT) and the signature of planetary waves (PWs) with a period of ∼8–27 days. The PW activity was substantially intensified during the winter. The day‐to‐day variability of SDT amplitudes are estimated and the higher‐order spectral analysis of SDT amplitudes exhibits intermittent modulation of SDT at PW periods ∼8 and 27 days in the zonal winds and periods of 8 and 16 days in the meridional winds. We observed an intense episode of tidal modulation from June through September 2016, during which a set of subsidiary spectral components around the SDT were found as a result of wave‐wave interaction. Further, the bi‐spectral analysis reveals that quadratic coupling (nonlinear interaction) occurred between SDT and PWs at a band period of 8–27 days, at above 90 km. We compared the spectral powers between the secondary waves created by the nonlinear interaction between the SDT and 16‐day PWs. Further, we found that sum‐secondary waves generated by the nonlinear interaction are stronger than the difference‐secondary waves during austral winter 2016. We thus conclude that the non‐linear interaction between the tides and PWs may play a major role in the short‐term tidal variability in the MLT region during austral winter 2016.

Temperature Variations in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere during Geomagnetic Storms with Disparate Durations at High Latitudes

Using the temperature data observed from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER), we investigate the response of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) to two medium geomagnetic storms with disparate durations, on 20 April 2018 and 10 April 2022. The high-latitude MLT temperature increase in the Southern hemisphere can reach 40 K during April 2018 geomagnetic storm with a longer duration (Kp values greater than 4 for 15 h), while the temperature variations are less than 10 K for the April 2022 event (Kp values greater than 4 for 6 h). To investigate the different temperature responses to disparate geomagnetic storm durations and understand what physical process results in this difference, we simulated the two events using the thermosphere ionosphere mesosphere electrodynamics general circulation model (TIMEGCM). The simulations show that more particles and energy input in longer-duration geomagnetic storms produce larger ion drag force and pressure gradient force at ~130 km, and then the enhanced two forces cause faster horizontal wind, leading to larger horizontal divergence. Subsequently, the stronger downward vertical wind is transported to the MLT region (below 110 km) and ultimately makes greater temperature increases through adiabatic heating/cooling and vertical advection. Therefore, the effects of the storm’s duration on the MLT temperature are also important.

Short-Term Variability of Non-Migrating Diurnal Tides in the Stratosphere from CMAM30, ERA-Interim, and FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC

The variability of non-migrating tides in the stratosphere is investigated using temperature data from Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM30), ERA-interim reanalysis and Formosa Satellite-3 and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC) from 2006 to 2010 using a ±10-day window. CMAM30 and ERA results show that the amplitudes of non-migrating tides, DS0 and DW2, are negligible in the mid and high-latitude stratosphere, and the results from satellite datasets are significantly affected by aliasing in this region, in spite of using a smaller window size for analysis (±10 days). Significant short term variability ranging from 30 to 100 days is observed in DS0 and DW2 over the equatorial and tropical latitudes. These tides are seen as two prominent bands around the equator with DS0 maximising during boreal summers and DW2 maximising during boreal winters. These variabilities are compared with the variability in amplitude of the stationary planetary wave with wavenumber one (SPW1) in the high-latitude stratosphere using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT). It is found that during boreal winters, the variability of SPW1 at 10 hPa over 65° N is similar to that of DS0 and DW2 over the equator at 0.0007 hPa. This provides evidence that SPW1 from the high-altitude stratosphere moving upward and equator-ward could be interacting with the migrating diurnal tide and generating the non-migrating tides in the equatorial mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The variabilities, however, are not comparable during summers, with SPW1 being absent in the Northern Hemisphere. It is thus concluded that non-linear interactions could be a source of non-migrating tidal variability in the equatorial MLT region during boreal winters, but during summers, the tidal variabilities have other sources in the lower atmosphere. The anti-symmetric nature of the vertical global structures indicates that these tides could be the result of global atmospheric oscillations proposed by the classical tidal theory.

Enhanced gravity wave activity in the mesosphere lower thermosphere region over Tirunelveli as a response to tropospheric convective event

The recent upgrade of Medium-Frequency (MF) wind radar at Tirunelveli (8.7⁰N, 77.8⁰E) has improved the height and time resolution of the wind measurements, which are utilized in the present study to examine high frequency (in periods 20–60 min) gravity waves (GW) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region. We observe, in addition to the dominant wave activity during equinox months, dominant episodes of high-frequency GW activities in the meridional winds during the times 31 May–4 June and 25–27 June 2019. Using the perturbation ellipse method, we infer the direction of propagation of the GW and it is found to be in the north–south plane. The GW activity in the MLT region exhibits anti-correlation with NOAA outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and positive correlation with rainfall rates indicating the latent heat release due to tropical convection as the possible source of the GW. Besides, the presence of dynamical instability is inferred from the calculations using the radar wind and the spaceborne SABER (Sounding of Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) temperature data suggesting a possible causality of convectively generated GWs dissipation.

Observation of MLT region winds and tides by the USTC Mengcheng meteor radar

The atmospheric winds and waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region are essential for studying the dynamics and climate in the middle and upper atmosphere. The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) meteor radar located at Mengcheng (33.36°N, 116.49°E) has been operating continuously since April 2014. More than 8 years of observation of mesospheric horizontal winds and tides are presented in this study. In addition, we present an intercomparison among the meteor radar observations and the Navy Global Environmental Model-High Altitude (NAVGEM-HA) analysis results. The meteor number at northern lower midlatitudes suffers from diurnal variations in meteor occurrence, with a high count rate in the local morning and a low rate during local afternoon-to-midnight. The meteor count rates show a clear annual variation, with a maximum in September–October and a minimum in February. The horizontal wind in the MLT region has dominant annual variations at lower midlatitudes, with the eastward wind during summer and the westward wind during winter above 84 km, and the eastward wind during winter and the westward wind during spring below 84 km. The meridional wind is northward during winter and southward during summer. The diurnal amplitude is dominant, followed by the semidiurnal tides at lower midlatitudes. The zonal and meridional diurnal tides show enhancements during spring (March) with amplitudes that can reach up to 40 m/s and 30 m/s and during autumn (September) with amplitudes that can reach up to 30 m/s and 25 m/s, respectively. The seasonal variations in diurnal tidal amplitude basically show characteristics that are strong during the equinox and weak during the solstice. The zonal and meridional semidiurnal tides are maximized during spring (April) and autumn (September) above 90 km.

Long‐Term Characteristics of the Meteor Radar Winds Observed at King Sejong Station, Antarctica

AbstractThe characteristics of the horizontal wind in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) at King Sejong Station (KSS) in the Antarctic Peninsula are investigated using approximately 15‐year (March 2007–November 2021) meteor radar (MR) observations. The 15‐year climatology and variability of the MLT winds at KSS are analyzed for the first time, and comparisons with the observations at other Antarctic stations are performed. The short‐period oscillations (periods between 2 hr and 10 days) of the winds, including tides and several planetary wave components, are examined for each month. Temporal and altitudinal variations in the amplitudes of the semidiurnal and diurnal tides, the two largest short‐period components, are analyzed. Annual and semiannual oscillations of the wind are distinct below and above z = 90 km, respectively. The long‐term trend of the zonal wind is estimated through a multiple linear regression analysis. Statistically significant trends of the zonal wind of ∼0.5–0.8 m s−1 yr−1 appear above z = 90 km in July. To understand observed MLT wind trends, the gravity‐wave momentum flux and gravity‐wave drag (GWD) in the MLT region are estimated from the MR observations at KSS for the 15 years. Similar seasonal variations are found between the trends of the zonal winds and zonal GWDs, especially above z = 94 km. In July where a strong positive zonal wind trend appears, positive correlation between the zonal wind and zonal GWDs is found to be statistically significant above z = 94 km.

Satellite observations of gravity wave momentum flux in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT): feasibility and requirements

Abstract. In the recent decade it became evident that we need to revise our picture of how gravity waves (GWs) reach the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). This has consequences for our understanding not just of the properties of the GWs themselves, but in particular of the global circulation in the MLT. Information on spectral distribution, direction, and zonal mean GW momentum flux is required to test the theoretical and modeling findings. In this study, we propose a constellation of two CubeSats for observing mesoscale GWs in the MLT region by means of temperature limb sounding in order to derive such constraints. Each CubeSat deploys a highly miniaturized spatial heterodyne interferometer (SHI) for the measurement of global oxygen atmospheric band emissions. From these emissions, the 3-D temperature structure can be inferred. We propose obtaining four independent observation tracks by splitting the interferograms in the center and thus gaining two observation tracks for each satellite. We present a feasibility study of this concept based on self-consistent, high-resolution global model data. This yields a full chain of end-to-end (E2E) simulations incorporating (1) orbit simulation, (2) airglow forward modeling, (3) tomographic temperature retrieval, (4) 3-D wave analysis, and (5) GW momentum flux (GWMF) calculation. The simulation performance is evaluated by comparing the retrieved zonal mean GWMF with that computed directly from the model wind data. A major question to be considered in our assessment is the minimum number of tracks required for the derivation of 3-D GW parameters. The main result from our simulations is that the GW polarization relations are still valid in the MLT region and can thus be employed for inferring GWMF from the 3-D temperature distributions. Based on the E2E simulations for gaining zonal mean climatologies of GW momentum flux, we demonstrate that our approach is robust and stable, given a four-track observation geometry and the expected instrument noise under nominal operation conditions. Using phase speed and direction spectra we show also that the properties of individual wave events are recovered when employing four tracks. Finally, we discuss the potential of the proposed observations to address current topics in the GW research. We outline for which investigations ancillary data are required to answer science questions.

Response of quasi-10-day waves in the MLT region to the sudden stratospheric warming in March 2020

We present an analysis of the response of quasi-10-day waves (Q10DWs) to the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event which occurred on March 23, 2020. The Q10DWs are observed in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region by three meteor radars, which are located at middle latitudes along the 120°E meridian from Mohe (MH, 53.5°N, 122.3°E), Beijing (BJ, 40.3°N, 116.2°E), to Wuhan (WH, 30.5°N, 114.6°E). The Q10DWs reveal similar temporal and altitudinal variations during the SSW in the MLT region at the three stations. The activities of Q10DWs are also captured in the temperature measurements from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) on the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite in the MLT region. Further analysis of the Q10DW phases indicates that the Q10DWs might be in situ generated due to mesospheric instabilities at higher latitudes around MH and then propagate southward to lower latitudes at BJ and WH. The atmospheric instabilities are not directly responsible for the excitations of Q10DWs at lower latitudes, while the observed equatorward propagation of the Q10DWs is important. Our result provides the observational evidence for latitudinal couplings in the MLT region after the SSW onset, which is achieved by southward propagating planetary waves in the MLT region.

Long‐Term Variation of Lunar Semidiurnal Tides in the MLT Region Revealed by a Meteor Radar Chain

AbstractWe present a study on the long‐term variation of lunar semidiurnal (LSD) tides in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The study is based on a meteor radar chain along ∼120°E meridian, which consists of five stations located at Mohe (MH, 53.5°N, 122.3°E), Beijing (BJ, 40.3°N, 116.2°E), Wuhan (WH, 30.5°N, 114.6°E), Sanya (SY, 18.3°N, 109.6°E), and Ledong (LD, 18.4°N, 109.0°E), respectively. Using the Lomb‐Scargle spectral analysis and least squares fitting method, strong quarter‐annual oscillations in the LSD are found at the three midlatitude stations and their magnitudes are comparable. The LSD magnitudes exhibit clear seasonal and latitudinal differences. The monthly mean magnitudes of LSD reach the maximum in January at all five stations but in other seasons they behave differently at different stations. Besides, the effects of polar vortex weakening (PVW) and quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) phases on the LSD are discussed. Based on the 12 PVW events, our study observes that the enhancement of the LSD is not always related to the commencements of PVW events. The enhancements of the LSD during the easterly QBO phase are generally stronger than those enhancements during the westerly QBO phase in the MLT region. The easterly QBO phase could modulate the mesospheric zonal mean zonal winds at low latitudes during the PVWs, which is in favor of amplifying the LSD. Our results suggest that the QBO phase is an important factor in enhancing the LSD in the MLT region during PVW events.

Suppressed migrating diurnal tides in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region during El Niño in northern winter and its possible mechanism

Abstract. As observed by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER), the migrating diurnal tide (DW1) in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region decreased by ∼ 10 % during El Niño in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter (December–January–February) from 2002 to 2020. According to the multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis, the linear effects of El Niño on the tropical MLT DW1 are significantly negative in both SABER observations and SD-WACCM (the Specified-Dynamics version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model) simulations. The DW1 response to El Niño in NH winter is much stronger than its annual mean response. As suggested by SD-WACCM simulation, Hough mode (1, 1) dominates the DW1 tidal variation in the tropical MLT region. The consistency between the (1, 1) mode in the tropopause region and the MLT region and the downward phase progression from 15 to 100 km indicates the direct upward propagation of DW1 from the excitation source in the troposphere. The suppressed DW1 heating rates in the tropical troposphere (averaged over ∼ 0–16 km and 35∘ S–35∘ N) during El Niño winter contribute to the decreased DW1 tide. To evaluate the effect of the gravity waves (GWs) on the tide, the GW forcing is calculated as the GW drag weighted by the phase relation between DW1 GW drag and DW1 wind. The negative GW forcing in the tropical upper mesosphere would significantly suppress the MLT DW1 tide during El Niño winter. This tide–GW interaction could be a dominant mechanism for DW1 response in the MLT to El Niño. During El Niño winter, the increased ratio of the absolute and planetary vorticity (R) suppresses the waveguide and thus the DW1 amplitude in the subtropical mesosphere. However, the effect of the waveguide might play a secondary role due to its relatively weak response.