Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-15-22701-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/acpd-15-22701-2015
25 Aug 2015
 | 25 Aug 2015
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.

Observation of a tidal effect on the Polar Jet Stream

C. H. Best and R. Madrigali

Abstract. Variations in the Polar Jet Stream directly affect weather across Europe and North America (Francis et al., 2012). Jet Stream dynamics are governed by the development of planetary Rossby waves (Dickinson, 1978) driven by variation of the Coriolis force with latitude. Here we show that increasing atmospheric tides induce the development of Rossby waves, especially during winter months. This changes the flow and direction of the Jet Stream, as measured by the Arctic Oscillation (AO). Although horizontal tidal forces are tiny (107 smaller than gravity), they act over huge areas dragging the Jet Stream flow southwards in regular pulses as the earth rotates. This induces a changing Coriolis torque, which then distorts the Jet Stream flow. The data from eight recent winters are studied indicating that the AO is anti-correlated to the horizontal "tractional" component of tides acting between latitude 45 and 60° N. The observed 28 day cycle in Jet Stream flow and extent has a statistical significance > 99 %. A cross-correlation between all daily AO data since 1950 and the tractional tidal strength shows a significant anti-correlation with a lag time of ~ 5 days. The strongest correlation and largest excursions of the AO are observed during winter 2005/2006 – a maximum lunar standstill year. This declination dependence of tidal forces at high latitudes is the proposed cause of many previous reports of an 18.6 year dependence of continental rainfall and drought.

C. H. Best and R. Madrigali
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
C. H. Best and R. Madrigali
C. H. Best and R. Madrigali

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Short summary
This paper demonstrates for the first time a direct link between atmospheric tides and the Polar Jet Stream flow. The authors have identified an anti-correlation of the Arctic Oscillation with the horizontal (‘tractional’) tidal force acting at high latitudes, particularly during winter months. The tractional force varies strongly during the lunar month and with the 18.6 year precession cycle of the lunar orbit. Changes in Jet Stream flow have a large effect on winter weather.
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