The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability
<p>Large-scale, intra-seasonal to inter-annual variability of the stratosphere is reviewed. Much of the variability is dynamical and induced by waves emanating from the troposphere. It is largely characterized by fluctuations in the strength of the polar vortex in winter and a quasi-biennial o...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Weather and Climate Dynamics |
| Online Access: | https://wcd.copernicus.org/articles/3/1237/2022/wcd-3-1237-2022.pdf |
| _version_ | 1811330494025957376 |
|---|---|
| author | N. Butchart |
| author_facet | N. Butchart |
| author_sort | N. Butchart |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Large-scale, intra-seasonal to inter-annual variability of the stratosphere is reviewed.
Much of the variability is dynamical and induced by waves emanating from the troposphere.
It is largely characterized by fluctuations in the strength of the polar vortex in winter
and a quasi-biennial oscillation in the equatorial winds.
Existing theories for the variability are generally formulated in terms of wave–mean-flow
interactions, with refinements due, in part, to teleconnections between the tropics and
extratropics.
Climate and seasonal forecast models are able to reproduce much of the observed
polar stratospheric variability and are increasingly successful in the tropics too.
Compared to the troposphere the models display longer predictability timescales for variations within the stratosphere.
Despite containing just <span class="inline-formula">∼17</span> % of the atmosphere's mass, the stratosphere's variability
exerts a powerful downward influence on the troposphere that can affect surface extremes.
The stratosphere is therefore a useful source of additional skill for surface predictions.
However, a complete dynamical explanation for the downward coupling is yet to be established.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:02:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f0795f902bb1462687c598474efff874 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2698-4016 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:02:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Weather and Climate Dynamics |
| spelling | doaj.art-f0795f902bb1462687c598474efff8742022-12-22T02:40:29ZengCopernicus PublicationsWeather and Climate Dynamics2698-40162022-11-0131237127210.5194/wcd-3-1237-2022The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variabilityN. Butchart<p>Large-scale, intra-seasonal to inter-annual variability of the stratosphere is reviewed. Much of the variability is dynamical and induced by waves emanating from the troposphere. It is largely characterized by fluctuations in the strength of the polar vortex in winter and a quasi-biennial oscillation in the equatorial winds. Existing theories for the variability are generally formulated in terms of wave–mean-flow interactions, with refinements due, in part, to teleconnections between the tropics and extratropics. Climate and seasonal forecast models are able to reproduce much of the observed polar stratospheric variability and are increasingly successful in the tropics too. Compared to the troposphere the models display longer predictability timescales for variations within the stratosphere. Despite containing just <span class="inline-formula">∼17</span> % of the atmosphere's mass, the stratosphere's variability exerts a powerful downward influence on the troposphere that can affect surface extremes. The stratosphere is therefore a useful source of additional skill for surface predictions. However, a complete dynamical explanation for the downward coupling is yet to be established.</p>https://wcd.copernicus.org/articles/3/1237/2022/wcd-3-1237-2022.pdf |
| spellingShingle | N. Butchart The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability Weather and Climate Dynamics |
| title | The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability |
| title_full | The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability |
| title_fullStr | The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability |
| title_full_unstemmed | The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability |
| title_short | The stratosphere: a review of the dynamics and variability |
| title_sort | stratosphere a review of the dynamics and variability |
| url | https://wcd.copernicus.org/articles/3/1237/2022/wcd-3-1237-2022.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nbutchart thestratosphereareviewofthedynamicsandvariability AT nbutchart stratosphereareviewofthedynamicsandvariability |