Characteristics of Atmospheric Waves Inferred from Lidar Measurements
Document ID: 92
Master's Thesis
The Pennsylvania State University
The Graduate School
Department of Electrical Engineering
Abstract
Using a set of data obtained from LIDAR (standing for "light detection and ranging") measurements at 65°N during February and March 1986 at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, an investigation of the planetary and gravity waves in the middle atmosphere has been made. The measurement period included a moderate stratospheric warming which reached its peak response on February 20/21 and the beginning of a major stratospheric warming which started on March 6. The long period variations of the density of the middle atmosphere were modeled by a one-dimensional planetary wave model. The modeled periods of the two principal wave components agree well with the planetary wave numbers 1 and 2. The peak of the density perturbation appears to be due to the sum effects of the constructive interference of the waves. The short period variations of the density were analyzed by spatial spectral estimation. The wave activity at 25-45 km and 45-65 km showed that the level of significant wave breaking had been lowered to below 50 km during the stratospheric warming period.
| Citation: | B. H. Chen, "Characteristics of Atmospheric Waves Inferred from Lidar Measurements", The Pennsylvania State University, Master's Thesis, December 1990, 56 pages |