Accession Number:

ADA106371

Title:

Comparison of the Dynamic Processes during Major and Minor Stratospheric Warmings In A Numerical Model.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH

Personal Author(s):

• Davenport,James Howard

Report Date:

1981-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

109.0

Abstract:

In this study we have analyzed the processes involved in a major and minor warming based on data generated from a 31-layer primitive equation spectral model consisting of a 5-layer troposphere, 12-layer stratosphere and 14-layer mesosphere. The forcing of the model consisted of orographic features designed to simulate the major Northern Hemisphere continents. This gave a combination of wave number 1 and wave number 2 forcing. The analysis of the simulated major and minor warmings indicated several similarities and differences between the cases. The initial difference between the cases is that case 1 major warming had a weak polar vortex, while case 2 minor warming had a strong polar vortex. This resulted in case 2 having much larger turbulent flux terms, but not sufficient to reverse the mean polar winds. Case 1 produces a major warming in the polar stratosphere.

Descriptors:

• *MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• *HEATING
• *STRATOSPHERE
• MESOSPHERE
• POLAR REGIONS
• FLUX(RATE)
• GRAPHS
• THESES
• BOUNDARY LAYER
• TURBULENCE
• TURBULENT BOUNDARY LAYER
• VORTICES
• SPECTRA
• MEAN
• NUMERICAL METHODS AND PROCEDURES
• TROPOSPHERE
• NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Numerical Mathematics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE