Abstract A numerical simulation of the annual cycle of the middle atmosphere is used to diagnose the coupling between radiation and dynamics in the stratosphere with particular attention to Canadian warmings and major warmings. The diagnosis is based on an adaptation of Kelvin's circulation theorem, which yields an expression for the time derivative of a circulation integral taken around isopleths of potential vorticity on an isentropic surface. Departures from radiative equilibrium produced by persistent planetary-scale disturbances in late winter lead to systematic changes in circulation integrals, which reflect systematic changes in the average distribution of potential vorticity. The main finding is that radiation is a prime contributor to the changes in circulation integrals that are characteristic of the formation in late winter of a main vortex/surf-zone structure.
The coupling between radiation and dynamics in the stratosphere
Advances in Space Research ; 13 , 1 ; 351-358
1992-01-01
8 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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