HR: 17:45h
AN: SA34A-08    [Abstracts]
TI: The Mesospheric Polar Vortices in GEOS, WACCM, SABER, and EOS-MLS
AU: * Harvey, V
EM: harvey@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado/LASP, UCB 392, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
AU: Randall, C E
EM: randall@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado/LASP, UCB 392, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
AU: Pawson, S
EM: spawson@dao.gsfc.nasa.gov
AF: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 900.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771, United States
AU: Garcia, R
EM: rgarcia@ucar.edu
AF: National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305, United States
AU: Lieberman, R
EM: ruth@cora.nwra.com
AF: Colorado Research Associates, 3380 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301, United States
AU: Manney, G L
EM: manney@mls.jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasedena, CA 91109, United States
AB: Satellite data analysis is combined with global modeling to characterize the 3-D structure and day-to-day variability of the polar vortex in the mesosphere. We use satellite temperature and geopotential height data from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument and temperature, carbon monoxide, and methane data from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument to characterize the structure of the upper stratospheric and mesospheric polar vortex in each hemisphere on a daily basis. The mesospheric vortex, as seen by these satellite instruments, is then compared to the representation of the mesospheric vortex in the GEOS-4 and GEOS-5 data assimilation systems as well as in the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). We will show the 3-D structure of the mesospheric vortex at times when the stratospheric vortex is strong as well as how this structure is modified during stratospheric warming events. This work will conduct model/observation intercomparisons of the mesospheric vortex to further understanding of its role in the descent of EPP-NOx.
DE: 0341 Middle atmosphere: constituent transport and chemistry (3334)
DE: 3334 Middle atmosphere dynamics (0341, 0342)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting