QBO Modulation of the Mesopause Gravity Wave Momentum Flux over Tierra del Fuego

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 43; no. 8; pp. 4049 - 4055
• Main Authors: De Wit, R. J., Janches, D., Fritts, D. C., Hibbins, R. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Goddard Space Flight Center AGU 28-04-2016; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Annual variations; Anomalies; Biennial; Cerebral hemispheres; Coupling; Divergence; Fluctuations; Flux; Geophysics; Gravitation; Gravitational waves; Gravity; gravity wave momentum flux; Gravity waves; Interannual variability; interhemispheric coupling; Joining; Loads (forces); Lower thermosphere; Mesopause; Mesopause gravity waves; Mesosphere; Meteorology; middle atmosphere dynamics; Modulation; Momentum; Momentum flux; Momentum transfer; QBO; Quasi-biennial oscillation; Radar; Space Sciences (General); Stratosphere; Summer; Temperature; Thermosphere; Variability; Vertical flux; Argentina; Tierra del Fuego; PSW, Argentina, Tierra del Fuego
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL068599

The interannual variability of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) gravity wave momentum flux over southern mid latitudes (53.7degS) has been studied using more than 7 years of meteor radar observations at Ro Grande, Argentina. A modulation, with periods similar to that of the equatorial stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), is observed in the vertical flux of zonal as well as meridional momentum. The QBO signal is largest in the zonal component during summer and is in phase with the stratospheric QBO at 50 hPa (approx. 21 km). The relation between the stratospheric QBO and the QBO modulation in the MLT gravity wave forcing (derived from the divergence of the momentum flux) was found to be consistent with that expected from the Holton-Tan effect coupled to the interhemispheric coupling mechanism. These results provide the first observational support for the existence of the midlatitude gravity wave forcing anomalies as hypothesized in the interhemispheric coupling mechanism.