CEDAR: Effects of Vertically-Propagating Waves on the Dynamics of the Middle Atmosphere

Remote Sensing Systems, Santa Rosa CA

Investigators

Abstract

This is a three-year research project to understand the role of convection in forcing equatorial waves, and the effects of these waves on the dynamics of the middle atmosphere. The tool to be adopted for this investigation is the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Whole Atmosphere Climate/Chemistry Model (WACCM), a comprehensive numerical model spanning the range of altitude from the Earth's surface to the lower thermosphere. The focus of the project are the equatorial waves, forced in the tropical troposphere by transient convection heating, that propagate upward into the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. It is expected that this project will have broad impact on theoretical, numerical and observational aspects of wave propagation, dynamics, and chemical composition of the middle atmosphere.