Midlatitude Lower Stratosphere Research Articles

Convectively Transported Water Vapor Plumes in the Midlatitude Lower Stratosphere

AbstractDeep convective overshooting has been shown to transport water vapor into the midlatitude lower stratosphere. However, it has not been demonstrated how the convective water vapor plumes evolve after the overshoots collapse. Furthermore, there is a lack of characterization of the convective water vapor plumes, nor is it clear whether satellite instruments can observe the characteristics. We use a high‐resolution numerical weather prediction model to study a convective system over North America. Multiple overshoots transport water vapor in the overworld stratosphere, forming a moist layer between 16.2 and 16.8 km (389.8–399.7 K), with horizontal diameters of about 300–400 km, and a maximum water vapor mixing ratio of 10.0 ppmv (4.3 ppmv anomaly). Lagrangian trajectories and mass integrations show the overworld water vapor plumes are maintained after the convective system weakens. In the lowermost stratosphere (LMS), water vapor plumes are less stable and ice is present, because there is perturbation by ongoing convection. Lagrangian trajectories and mass integrations show the LMS parcels partly return to the troposphere, and that the LMS water vapor mass is reduced by half after the convection weakens. On average, the LMS moistening is between 15.0 and 15.8 km (362.6–382.0 K), with horizontal diameters of about 150 km, and a maximum water vapor mixing ratio of 31.1 ppmv (18.4 ppmv anomaly). Although current satellites have difficulty observing the fine structure of the convective water vapor plumes, a new satellite instrument under development (SHOW) with 1‐km vertical and 100‐km horizontal resolution will be able to verify the plume characteristics.

Vertical structure of the lower-stratospheric moist bias in the ERA5 reanalysis and its connection to mixing processes

Abstract. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are known to possess a distinct moist bias in the mid-latitude lower stratosphere, which is expected to affect the ability to accurately predict weather and climate. This paper investigates the vertical structure of the moist bias in the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) latest global reanalysis ERA5 using a unique multi-campaign data set of highly resolved water vapour profiles observed with a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) on board the High Altitude and LOng range research aircraft (HALO). In total, 41 flights in the mid-latitudes from six field campaigns provide roughly 33 000 profiles with humidity varying by 4 orders of magnitude. The observations cover different synoptic situations and seasons and thus are suitable to characterize the strong vertical gradients of moisture in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). The comparison to ERA5 indicates high positive and negative deviations in the UT, which on average lead to a slightly positive bias (15 %–20 %). In the LS, the moist bias rapidly increases up to a maximum of 55 % at 1.3 km altitude above the thermal tropopause (tTP) and decreases again to 15 %–20 % at 4 km altitude. Such a vertical structure is frequently observed, although the magnitude varies from flight to flight. The layer depth of increased moist bias is smaller at high tropopause altitudes and larger when the tropopause is low. Our results also suggest a seasonality of the moist bias, with the maximum in summer exceeding autumn by up to a factor of 3. During one field campaign, collocated ozone and water vapour profile observations enable a classification of tropospheric, stratospheric, and mixed air using water vapour–ozone correlations. It is revealed that the moist bias is high in the mixed air while being small in tropospheric and stratospheric air, which highlights that excessive transport of moisture into the LS plays a decisive role for the formation of the moist bias. Our results suggest that a better representation of mixing processes in NWP models could lead to a reduced LS moist bias that, in turn, may lead to more accurate weather and climate forecasts. The lower-stratospheric moist bias should be borne in mind for climatological studies using reanalysis data.

Interannual Variability of Tropospheric Moisture and Temperature and Relationships to ENSO Using COSMIC-1 GNSS-RO Retrievals

Abstract Interannual variability of tropospheric moisture and temperature are key aspects of Earth’s climate. In this study, monthly mean specific humidity (q) and temperature (T) variability is analyzed using 12 years of COSMIC-1 (C1) radio occultation retrievals between 60°N and 60°S, with a focus on the tropics. C1 retrievals are relatively independent of the a priori values for q and T within the lower/middle troposphere and upper troposphere/lower stratosphere, respectively. Tropical interannual variability is dominated by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Systematic increases and decreases in zonal mean q and T are observed during the 2009/10 and 2015/16 El Niño events and 2007/08 and 2010/11 La Niña events, respectively. ENSO patterns in q and T are isolated using linear regression, and anomaly magnitudes increase with altitude, reaching a maximum in the upper troposphere. Upper-tropospheric q anomalies expand from the tropics into the midlatitude lower stratosphere, and the T vertical structure is consistent with a moist adiabatic response. C1 results are compared with NCAR’s Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM), forced by observed sea surface temperatures, to evaluate model behavior in an idealized setting. WACCM ENSO variations in q and T generally show consistent behavior with C1 with somewhat smaller magnitudes. Case studies are conducted for major ENSO events during the study period. The spatial variability of q is closely aligned with outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) anomalies. For example, midtropospheric q increases over 100% and OLR decreases over 50 W m−2 over the central Pacific during the 2015/16 El Niño, and substantial regional q and T anomalies are observed throughout the tropics and midlatitudes for each event.

Influence of quasi‐biennial oscillation on the boreal winter extratropical stratosphere in QBOi experiments

AbstractThis study investigates the Holton–Tan (HT) relationship based on re‐analyses and co‐ordinated experiments for present‐day and warming scenarios within the SPARC Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation initiative (QBOi) using Meteorological Research Institute Earth System Model version 2.0 (MRI‐ESM2.0). The aim is to explore to what extent global warming modulates the HT mechanism in the effect of the QBO on the polar vortex. The simulations of the present‐day conditions reproduce the zonal wind composite differences in the re‐analysis; however, there are some discrepancies. In regions near the QBO (i.e. 20–40°N), there is good agreement between the simulations and the re‐analysis. Examples include the midlatitude (∼30°N) lower (middle) stratosphere Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux convergence (divergence) anomalies between the easterly phase and the westerly phase of the QBO, which are common in the re‐analysis and in the present‐day and warming simulations. The influence of the QBO on the midlatitude lower stratosphere is associated with an effective waveguide for enhanced upward‐propagating Rossby waves near the subtropical jet. At high latitudes, the significant (less significant) convergence anomalies of significant horizontal EP fluxes in the middle stratosphere are dominant in the re‐analysis (the present‐day simulations). In the warming scenarios, the QBO signatures of the zonal wind are strengthened with the significant EP flux convergence anomalies of less significant upward‐propagating waves inside the polar vortex above 20 hPa. These results suggest that fundamental mechanisms behind the HT effect in regions near the QBO can be explained by enhanced upward‐propagating waves associated with an effective waveguide (by inhibiting equatorward‐refracting upward waves) in the lower‐to‐mid stratosphere. In the warming scenarios, however, HT mechanisms, especially inside the polar vortex, may have another pathway, different from that of the present‐day climate.

The Tropical Transition in the Western North Pacific: The Case of Tropical Cyclone Peipah (2007)

AbstractThis study examines the transition of an extratropical disturbance to a tropical cyclone (TC), Peipah (2007), in the western North Pacific (WNP), using reanalysis and geostationary satellite data. Instead of regular diurnal fluctuations of deep convection, the pre‐TC disturbance accompanies deep convection only for short durations every other day. When the pre‐TC vorticity is traced back to 7 days prior to its formation, the traced‐back vorticity indicates a strong potential vorticity (PV) trough in the subtropical upper troposphere that originated from the midlatitude lower stratosphere. The quasi‐geostrophic forcing and reduced static stability at the leading edge of the PV trough result in the formation of an extratropical disturbance. The vertical structure of the extratropical disturbance shows maximum vorticity in the upper troposphere and cold temperature anomaly within it throughout the entire troposphere. As the extratropical disturbance moved into the tropical WNP, deep convection associated with quasi‐geostrophic dynamics over the warm ocean initiated tropical transition of the extratropical disturbance to a TC through diabatic redistribution of PV in the tropospheric column as well as transition of the cold anomaly into a warm anomaly within the vortex. With additional contribution of barotropic energy conversion in the lower troposphere, the warm‐core low system finally developed into a TC‐strength vortex. These results indicate that PV troughs of the stratospheric origin over the subtropical Pacific Ocean can contribute to TC formations in the WNP.

Roles of transport and chemistry processes in global ozone change on interannual and multidecadal time scales

This study investigates ozone changes and the individual impacts of transport and chemistry on those changes. We specifically examine (1) variation related to El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is a dominant mode of interannual variation of tropospheric ozone, and (2) long‐term change between the 2000s and 2100s. During El Niño, the simulated ozone shows an increase (1 ppbv/K) over Indonesia, a decrease (2–10 ppbv/K) over the eastern Pacific in the tropical troposphere, and an increase (50 ppbv/K) over the eastern Pacific in the midlatitude lower stratosphere. These variations fundamentally agree with those observed by Microwave Limb Sounder/Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer instruments. The model demonstrates that tropospheric chemistry has a strong impact on the variation over the eastern Pacific in the tropical lower troposphere and that transport dominates the variation in the midlatitude lower stratosphere. Between the 2000s and 2100s, the model predicts an increase in the global burden of stratospheric ozone (0.24%/decade) and a decrease in the global burden of tropospheric ozone (0.82%/decade). The increase in the stratospheric burden is controlled by stratospheric chemistry. Tropospheric chemistry reduces the tropospheric burden by 1.07%/decade. However, transport (i.e., stratosphere‐troposphere exchange and tropospheric circulation) causes an increase in the burden (0.25%/decade). Additionally, we test the sensitivity of ozone changes to increased horizontal resolution of the representation of atmospheric circulation and advection apart from any aspects of the nonlinearity of chemistry sensitivity to horizontal resolution. No marked difference is found in medium‐resolution or high‐resolution simulations, suggesting that the increased horizontal resolution of transport has a minor impact.

The ozone response to ENSO in Aura satellite measurements and a chemistry‐climate simulation

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of inter‐annual variability in the tropical ocean and troposphere. Its impact on tropospheric circulation causes significant changes to the distribution of ozone. Here we derive the lower tropospheric to lower stratospheric ozone response to ENSO from observations by the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) and the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instruments, both on the Aura satellite, and compare to the simulated response from the Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry‐Climate Model (GEOSCCM). Measurement ozone sensitivity is derived using multiple linear regression to include variations from ENSO as well as from the first two empirical orthogonal functions of the quasi‐biennial oscillation. Both measurements and simulation show features such as the negative ozone sensitivity to ENSO over the tropospheric tropical Pacific and positive ozone sensitivity over Indonesia and the Indian Ocean region. Ozone sensitivity to ENSO is generally positive over the midlatitude lower stratosphere, with greater sensitivity in the Northern Hemisphere. GEOSCCM reproduces both the overall pattern and magnitude of the ozone response to ENSO obtained from observations. We demonstrate the combined use of ozone measurements from MLS and TES to quantify the lower atmospheric ozone response to ENSO and suggest its possible usefulness in evaluating chemistry‐climate models.

The Effects of Changes in Sea Surface Temperature and CO2 Concentration on the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation

Abstract The effects of sea surface temperature (SST) and CO2 on future changes in the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) are investigated using a climate model that simulates the QBO without parameterized nonstationary gravity wave forcing. Idealized model experiments using the future SST with the present CO2 (FS run) and the present SST with the future CO2 (FC run) are conducted, as are experiments using the present SST with the present CO2 (present run) and the future SST with the future CO2 (future run). When compared with the present run, precipitation increases around the equatorial region in the FS run and decreases in the FC run, resulting in increased and decreased wave momentum fluxes, respectively. In the midlatitude lower stratosphere, westward (eastward) wave-forcing anomalies form in the FS (FC) run. In the middle stratosphere off the equator, westward wave-forcing anomalies form in both the FS and FC runs. Corresponding to these wave-forcing anomalies, the residual vertical velocity significantly increases in the lower stratosphere in the FS run but decreases to below 70 hPa in the FC run, whereas residual upward circulation anomalies form in both the FS and FC runs in the middle equatorial stratosphere. Consequently, the amplitude of the QBO becomes smaller in the lower stratosphere, and the period of the QBO becomes longer by about 1–3 months in the FS run. On the other hand, in the FC run, the QBO extends farther downward into the lowermost stratosphere, and the period becomes longer by 1 month.

Background Stratospheric Aerosol Variations Deduced from Satellite Observations

AbstractThe Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) aerosol products from 1998 to 2004 have been analyzed for the tendency of changes in background stratospheric aerosol properties. The aerosol extinction coefficient E has apparently increased in the midlatitude lower stratosphere (LS) in both hemispheres, at an annual rate that is as great as 2%–5%. Positive changes in the aerosol surface area density S in the midlatitude LS are most distinct, with a rate of increase that is as high as 5%–6% annually. At the same time, there has been a secular decrease in aerosol effective radius R, especially in the tropical LS, at a rate of up to −2.5% yr−1. Corresponding to these trends, the aerosol number concentration is inferred to have increased by roughly 5%–10% yr−1 in the tropical LS and by 4%–8% yr−1 in the midlatitude LS. Changes in aerosol mass are also deduced, with rates of increase in the midlatitude LS that are in the range of 1%–5% yr−1. The large uncertainty in operational S product is the major factor influencing the trend in S, aerosol number concentrations, and mass. The authors’ global assessment supports the speculation of Hofmann et al. on the basis of local observations that the cause of an increase in lidar backscatter over a similar period was a consequence of aerosol particle growth due to enhanced anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emissions. Moreover, it is found that an increase in the injection rate of condensation nuclei from the troposphere to the stratosphere at tropical latitudes is required to sustain the increase in stratospheric aerosol concentrations identified in this analysis.

Five blind men and the elephant: what can the NASA Aura ozone measurements tell us about stratosphere-troposphere exchange?

Abstract. We examine whether the individual ozone (O3) measurements from the four Aura instruments can quantify the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) flux of O3, an important term of the tropospheric O3 budget. The level 2 (L2) Aura swath data and the nearly coincident ozone sondes for the years 2005–2006 are compared with the 4-D, high-resolution (1° × 1° × 40-layer × 0.5 h) model simulation of atmospheric ozone for the same period from the University of California, Irvine chemistry transport model (CTM). The CTM becomes a transfer standard for comparing individual profiles from these five, not-quite-coincident measurements of atmospheric ozone. Even with obvious model discrepancies identified here, the CTM can readily quantify instrument-instrument biases in the tropical upper troposphere and mid-latitude lower stratosphere. In terms of STE processes, all four Aura datasets have some skill in identifying stratosphere-troposphere folds, and we find several cases where both model and measurements see evidence of high-O3 stratospheric air entering the troposphere. In many cases identified in the model, however, the individual Aura profile retrievals in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere show too much noise, as expected from their low sensitivity and coarse vertical resolution at and below the tropopause. These model-measurement comparisons of individual profiles do provide some level of confidence in the model-derived STE O3 flux, but it will be difficult to integrate this flux from the satellite data alone.

Air mass origins influencing TTL chemical composition over West Africa during 2006 summer monsoon

Abstract. Trace gas and aerosol data collected in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) between 12–18.5 km by the M55 Geophysica aircraft as part of the SCOUT-AMMA campaign over West Africa during the summer monsoon in August 2006 have been analysed in terms of their air mass origins. Analysis of domain filling back trajectories arriving over West Africa, and in the specific region of the flights, showed that the M55 flights were generally representative of air masses arriving over West Africa during the first 2 weeks of August, 2006. Air originating from the mid-latitude lower stratosphere was under-sampled (in the mid-upper TTL) whilst air masses uplifted from central Africa (into the lower TTL) were over-sampled in the latter part of the campaign. Signatures of recent (previous 10 days) origins were superimposed on the large-scale westward flow over West Africa. In the lower TTL, air masses were impacted by recent local deep convection over Africa at the level of main convective outflow (350 K, 200 hPa) and on certain days up to 370 K (100 hPa). Estimates of the fraction of air masses influenced by local convection vary from 10 to 50% depending on the method applied and from day to day during the campaign. The analysis shows that flights on 7, 8 and 11 August were more influenced by local convection than on 4 and 13 August allowing separation of trace gas and aerosol measurements into "convective" and "non-convective" flights. Strong signatures, particularly in species with short lifetimes (relative to CO2) like CO, NO and fine-mode aerosols were seen during flights most influenced by convection up to 350–365 K. Observed profiles were also constantly perturbed by uplift (as high as 39%) of air masses from the mid to lower troposphere over Asia, India, and oceanic regions resulting in import of clean oceanic (e.g. O3-poor) or polluted air masses from Asia (high O3, CO, CO2) into West Africa. Thus, recent uplift of CO2 over Asia may contribute to the observed positive CO2 gradients in the TTL over West Africa. This suggests a more significant fraction of younger air masses in the TTL and needs to taken into consideration in derivations of mean age of air. Transport of air masses from the mid-latitude lower stratosphere had an impact from the mid-TTL upwards (20–40% above 370 K) during the campaign period importing air masses with high O3 and NOy. Ozone profiles show a less pronounced lower TTL minimum than observed previously by regular ozonesondes at other tropical locations. Concentrations are less than 100 ppbv in the lower TTL and vertical gradients less steep than in the upper TTL. The air mass origin analysis and simulations of in-situ net photochemical O3 production, initialised with observations, suggest that the lower TTL is significantly impacted by uplift of O3 precursors (over Africa and Asia) leading to positive production rates (up to 2 ppbv per day) in the lower and mid TTL even at moderate NOx levels. Photochemical O3 production increases with higher NOx and H2O in air masses with O3 less than 150 ppbv.

Noncoincident validation of Aura MLS observations using the Langley Research Center Lagrangian chemistry and transport model

We evaluate Aura Microwave Limb Sounder version 2.2 measurements of O3, HCl, and H2O with version 19 HALOE observations using a model‐assisted, noncoincident intercomparison technique. Air parcels in the Langley Research Center Lagrangian chemistry and transport model (LCTM) are initialized from HALOE observations made during three different 3‐week periods in 2004 and early 2005. The LCTM tracks the dynamical and photochemical evolution of the ensemble of air parcels following initialization. We show that the LCTM predictions agree closely with subsequent HALOE measurements not used to initialize the model, demonstrating the model's capability to accurately propagate information from the HALOE observations. HALOE‐initialized LCTM O3 predictions agree very well in the stratosphere with MLS measurements, with coincident zonal mean differences generally less than 10%. We find low biases in HCl of 10–30% relative to the MLS observations. We also find low biases with respect to MLS H2O of up to 15% in the upper and middle stratosphere and ∼30% low biases in the lower stratosphere/upper troposphere midlatitudes. We note some nonphysical vertical oscillations of MLS H2O in the tropical and midlatitude lower stratosphere that are not present in the HALOE‐initialized LCTM output. The oscillations are smaller in version 2.2 than in previous versions. These results are generally consistent with published HALOE/MLS intercomparisons of these species using a traditional coincident validation technique. This consistency suggests that the traditional coincident validation results are applicable on daily temporal and zonal spatial scales.

Trends and variability in stratospheric mixing: 1979–2005

Abstract. Changes in climate are likely to drive changes in stratospheric mixing with associated implications for changes in transport of ozone from tropical source regions to higher latitudes, transport of water vapour and source gas degradation products from the tropical tropopause layer into the mid-latitude lower stratosphere, and changes in the meridional distribution of long-lived trace gases. To diagnose long-term changes in stratospheric mixing, global monthly fields of Lyapunov exponents were calculated on the 450 K, 550 K, and 650 K isentropic surfaces by applying a trajectory model to wind fields from NCEP/NCAR reanalyses over the period 1979 to 2005. Potential underlying geophysical drivers of trends and variability in these mixing fields were investigated by applying a least squares regression model, which included basis functions for a mean annual cycle, seasonally dependent linear trends, the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), the solar cycle, and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), to zonal mean time series of the Lyapunov exponents. Long-term positive trends in mixing are apparent over southern middle to high latitudes at 450 K through most of the year, while negative trends over southern high latitudes are apparent at 650 K from May to August. Wintertime negative trends in mixing over northern mid-latitudes are apparent at 550 K and 650 K. Over low latitudes, within 40° of the equator, the QBO exerts a strong influence on mixing at all three analysis levels. This QBO influence is strongly modulated by the annual cycle and shows a phase shift across the subtropical mixing barrier. Solar cycle and ENSO influences on mixing are generally not significant. The diagnosed long-term changes in mixing should aid the interpretation of trends in stratospheric trace gases.

Observed and modeled HOCl profiles in the midlatitude stratosphere: Implication for ozone loss

Vertical profiles of stratospheric HOCl calculated with a diurnal steady‐state photochemical model that uses currently recommended reaction rates and photolysis cross sections underestimate observed profiles of HOCl obtained by two balloon‐borne instruments, FIRS‐2 (a far‐infrared emission spectrometer) and MkIV (a mid‐infrared, solar absorption spectrometer). Considerable uncertainty (a factor of two) persists in laboratory measurements of the rate constant (k1) for the reaction ClO + HO2 → HOCl + O2. Agreement between modeled and measured HOCl can be attained using a value of k1 from Stimpfle et al. (1979) that is about a factor‐of‐two faster than the currently recommended rate constant. Comparison of modeled and measured HOCl suggests that models using the currently recommended value for k1 may underestimate the role of the HOCl catalytic cycle for ozone depletion, important in the midlatitude lower stratosphere.

Spectroscopic detection of COClF in the tropical and mid-latitude lower stratosphere

We report retrievals of COClF (carbonyl chlorofluoride) based on atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) solar occultation spectra recorded at tropical and mid-latitudes during 2004–2005. The COClF molecule is a temporary reservoir of both chlorine and fluorine and has not been measured previously by remote sensing. A maximum COClF mixing ratio of 99.7 ± 48.0 pptv ( 10 - 12 per unit volume, 1 sigma) is measured at 28 km for tropical and subtropical occultations (latitudes below 20 ∘ in both hemispheres) with lower mixing ratios at both higher and lower altitudes. Northern hemisphere mid-latitude mixing ratios (30–50°N) resulted in an average profile with a peak mixing ratio of 51.7 ± 32.1 pptv , 1 sigma, at 27 km, also decreasing above and below that altitude. We compare the measured average profiles with the one reported set of in situ lower stratospheric mid-latitude measurements from 1986 and 1987, a previous two-dimensional (2-D) model calculation for 1987 and 1993, and a 2-D-model prediction for 2004. The measured average tropical profile is in close agreement with the model prediction; the northern mid-latitude profile is also consistent, although the peak in the measured profile occurs at a higher altitude (2.5–4.5 km offset) than in the model prediction. Seasonal average 2-D-model predictions of the COClF stratospheric distribution for 2004 are also reported.

The 1986–1989 ENSO cycle in a chemical climate model

Abstract. A pronounced ENSO cycle occurred from 1986 to 1989, accompanied by distinct dynamical and chemical anomalies in the global troposphere and stratosphere. Reproducing these effects with current climate models not only provides a model test but also contributes to our still limited understanding of ENSO's effect on stratosphere-troposphere coupling. We performed several sets of ensemble simulations with a chemical climate model (SOCOL) forced with global sea surface temperatures. Results were compared with observations and with large-ensemble simulations performed with an atmospheric general circulation model (MRF9). We focus our analysis on the extratropical stratosphere and its coupling with the troposphere. In this context, the circulation over the North Atlantic sector is particularly important. Relative to the La Niña winter 1989, observations for the El Niño winter 1987 show a negative North Atlantic Oscillation index with corresponding changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, a weak polar vortex, a warm Arctic middle stratosphere, negative and positive total ozone anomalies in the tropics and at middle to high latitudes, respectively, as well as anomalous upward and poleward Eliassen-Palm (EP) flux in the midlatitude lower stratosphere. Most of the tropospheric features are well reproduced in the ensemble means in both models, though the amplitudes are underestimated. In the stratosphere, the SOCOL simulations compare well with observations with respect to zonal wind, temperature, EP flux, meridional mass streamfunction, and ozone, but magnitudes are underestimated in the middle stratosphere. With respect to the mechanisms relating ENSO to stratospheric circulation, the results suggest that both, upward and poleward components of anomalous EP flux are important for obtaining the stratospheric signal and that an increase in strength of the Brewer-Dobson circulation is part of that signal.

Behavior of Planetary Waves before and after Stratospheric Sudden Warming Events in Several Phases of the Equatorial QBO

Abstract Almost a thousand stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events are obtained through long time integrations with a simple global circulation model, and a statistical analysis based on such a large number of samples is made to investigate behavior of planetary waves before and after SSW events depending on the phase of the equatorial quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). An idealized zonal momentum forcing to mimic a phase of the QBO is imposed under a perpetual winter condition, and eight phases of the QBO-wind forcing are examined for 8 × 10 800-day datasets. Some systematic dependence on the phase of the QBO-wind forcing is seen in the anomaly of the Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux in the winter hemisphere, both in the 10 800-day average and in the composites for SSW events. The composite analysis shows that before SSW events, the upward EP flux in the troposphere and midlatitude lower stratosphere as well as the equatorward flux above the tropopause is larger in the westerly forcing runs than in the easterly forcing runs. After SSW events, the upward EP flux in the troposphere is still larger in the westerly forcing runs. Correlation associated with the differences among SSW events that occurred in each run is significantly positive between the magnitude of the warming and the planetary wave activity flux before all the events in QBO-wind forcing in the stratosphere, but only in the easterly forcing runs in the troposphere.

Long-term Ozone Trend Depicted by Ozonesonde Observations over Japan

The meridional cross section of the long-term ozone losses between the two periods 1968-1975 (pre-ozone hole era) and 1990-2002 (mature ozone hole era) are estimated by using operational ozonesonde observations over Japan. The results are projected on the bins defined by potential temperature (θ) and equivalent latitude (φ eq) coordinate system to estimate the midlatitude and polar ozone losses separately. The ozone decrease between the two periods are decomposed of 0.3 ppmv (∼5-20%) decline widely distributed in midlatitude stratosphere and 1.0 ppmv (∼30-50%) depletion in the focused region defined by 400 ≤ θ ≤ 500 K and φ eq > 70°N during February-April season. The latter gives an estimate of the enhanced ozone loss in the Northern polar vortex, while the former represents general ozone loss in midlatitude lower stratosphere. Atmospheric circulation changes possibly induced by perturbed ozone are discussed in terms of mean φ eq.

Midlatitude ClO during the maximum atmospheric chlorine burden: in situ balloon measurements and model simulations

Abstract. Chlorine monoxide (ClO) plays a key role in stratospheric ozone loss processes at midlatitudes. We present two balloon-borne in situ measurements of ClO conducted in northern hemisphere midlatitudes during the period of the maximum of total inorganic chlorine loading in the atmosphere. Both ClO measurements were conducted on board the TRIPLE balloon payload, launched in November 1996 in León, Spain, and in May 1999 in Aire sur l'Adour, France. For both flights a ClO daylight and night-time vertical profile was derived over an altitude range of approximately 15-35 km. ClO mixing ratios are compared to model simulations performed with the photochemical box model version of the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). Simulations along 24-hour backward trajectories were performed to study the diurnal variation of ClO in the midlatitude lower stratosphere. Model simulations for the flight launched in Aire sur l'Adour 1999 show an excellent agreement with the ClO measurements. For the flight launched in León 1996, an overall good agreement is found, whereas the flight is characterized by a more complex dynamical situation due to a possible mixture of vortex and non-vortex air. We note that for both flights at solar zenith angles greater than 86°-87° simulated ClO mixing ratios are higher than observed ClO mixing ratios. However, the present findings indicate that no substantial uncertainties exist in midlatitude chlorine chemistry of the stratosphere.

Investigation of Arctic ozone depletion sampled over midlatitudes during the Egrett campaign of spring/summer 2000

Abstract. A unique halocarbon dataset has been obtained using the Australian high altitude research aircraft, the Grob G520T Egrett, during May-June 2000 with GC instrument (DIRAC), which has been previously deployed on balloon platforms. The halocarbon data generally shows a good anticorrelation with ozone data obtained simultaneously from commercial sensors. On 5 June 2000, at 380K, the Egrett entered a high latitude tongue of air over the U.K. CFC-11 and O3 data obtained on the flight show evidence of this feature. The dataset has been used, in conjunction with a 3D chemical transport model, to infer ozone depletion encountered in the midlatitude lower stratosphere during the flight. We calculate that ozone is depleted by 20% relative to its winter value in the higher latitude airmass. A suite of ozone loss tracers in the model have been used to track ozone depletion according to location relative to the vortex and chemical cycle responsible. The model, initialised on 9 December, indicates that 50% of the total chemical ozone destruction encountered in June in the middle latitudes occurred in the 90-70°N equivalent latitude band and that 70% was due to halogen chemistry.