Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-870
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2016-870
26 Oct 2016
 | 26 Oct 2016
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ACP but the revision was not accepted.

Stratospheric Variability at a glance – Analysis of the intra decadal timescale and the QBO

Duy Cai, Martin Dameris, Hella Garny, Felix Bunzel, Patrick Jöckel, and Phoebe Graf

Abstract. In this study the stratospheric variability is analysed from decadal to seasonal timescales. Relevant processes for the decadal timescale are identified by means of power spectral analysis. The inspection of the ERA-Interim reanalysis data set shows considerably high variability at the 12 and 6 months period. But also in the extra tropical region at intra-annual to seasonal timescales clear peaks in the power spectrum arise. In addition to that, the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) obviously contributes to the stratospheric variability at decadal timescales. Regarding the power spectrum of EMAC 2.52 model simulations, only a model configuration with a vertical resolution smaller than 1 km in the stratosphere is capable to capture the relevant features of the spectrum. In particular, the model with a coarser distribution of vertical levels cannot reproduce the QBO signal. The analysis of the corresponding wave spectra reveals that, if the vertical resolution is insufficient, primarily the Mixed-Rossby-Gravity waves cannot be adequately reproduced. Estimates made by linear wave theory show that for reanalysis data the Mixed-Rossby-Gravity waves with equivalent depths between 50 m to 250 m are relevant for the QBO. In order to resolve these relevant waves, model simulations need to consider a vertical resolution of at least 1 km.

Duy Cai, Martin Dameris, Hella Garny, Felix Bunzel, Patrick Jöckel, and Phoebe Graf
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Duy Cai, Martin Dameris, Hella Garny, Felix Bunzel, Patrick Jöckel, and Phoebe Graf
Duy Cai, Martin Dameris, Hella Garny, Felix Bunzel, Patrick Jöckel, and Phoebe Graf

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Latest update: 28 Mar 2024
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Short summary
Reliable information on weather and climate are of increasing interest for economy, politics and society. In particular decadal timescales become more and more important. This study focuses on stratospheric processes relevant for the dynamical variability on intra decadal timescale. We apply a so called power spectra analysis. With this method and further analyses we could determine a minimum vertical resolution for numerical models, which is required to capture these processes.
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