Amplification of the influence of solar flux variations on the winter stratosphere by planetary waves

N. F. Arnold, T. R. Robinson

Research output: Journal PublicationReview articlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recent observational evidence has suggested that variations in solar activity may affect winter stratospheric polar ozone and temperature levels. The paucity of direct sunlight available during this season points strongly to a dynamical mechanism. We have carried out several large ensemble experiments within the middle atmosphere and the coupled middle atmosphere and lower thermosphere to simulate the radiative/dynamical coupling via planetary waves for a range of solar fluxes. In the former case, the model response in the winter stratosphere was linear and of the order of the summer stratopause forcing, whilst in the latter, the level of correlation in the winter stratosphere remained high, but was diluted over a wider volume. The inclusion of the upper atmosphere enhanced the winter polar stratospheric response by a factor of three.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-286
Number of pages8
JournalSpace Science Reviews
Volume94
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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