In this study, numerical simulations have been performed to estimate the transformation of the mean meridional circulation in altitude range 0–100 km at different phases of simulated stratospheric warming (SW) events in January–February including and excluding impact of mesoscale orographic gravity waves (OGWs). To obtain an ensemble of 12 pairs of model runs with and without a parameterization of OGW effects, the numerical middle and upper atmosphere model (MUAM) has been used. Obtained results demonstrate weakening of the zonal mean meridional circulation at altitudes up to 100 km during and after simulated SWs compared to the time interval before SWs. At altitudes below 50 km, southward mean meridional winds decrease (up to 15%) before and after simulated SWs. OGW effects may increase the mean northward wind at altitudes above 60 km up to 10–15%. The most significant changes of the meridional circulation in the middle atmosphere are detected at the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere: the southward meridional circulation increases at altitudes above 40 km and decreases below 40 km. Thus, the global-scale mean meridional circulation in the middle atmosphere may significantly depend on different phases of SW events during the northern winter season. It is also quite sensitive to the dynamical and thermal OGW impacts.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11-18
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Volume183
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2019

    Research areas

  • Meridional circulation, Numerical modeling, Orographic gravity waves, Sudden stratospheric warming, COMPENSATION, BREWER-DOBSON CIRCULATION, FORMULATION, VARIABILITY, DRAG, GRAVITY-WAVE, PLANETARY-WAVES, SUDDEN WARMINGS, DYNAMICS, PARAMETRIZATION

    Scopus subject areas

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
  • Geophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Atmospheric Science

ID: 37250363