Stratospheric Temperature and Wind Fields Along 80w, 1957-1959

摘要

The stratospheric temperature and zonal wind fields along 80 degrees W in the northern hemisphere are analyzed and compared for the years 1957, 1958, and 1959. Meridional patterns of heating and cooling are discussed in terms of the recurrent quasi-biennial, annual, and semi-annual temperature cycles as well as sporadic sudden warmings. Changes in the speed and direction of the zonal winds are described in terms of variations of the large-scale meridional temperature gradients. The wind and temperature fields of the stratosphere generally correspond except wherever there is a temperature gradient reversal between the troposphere and stratosphere. In these cases, the direction of the winds of the lower stratosphere correspond to the tropospheric temperature gradient, although their change in speed with height is according to the thermal gradient in the stratosphere. (Author)