Me. Hagan et al., NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPAGATION OF THE QUASI-2-DAY WAVE INTO THE LOWER THERMOSPHERE, JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES, 98(D12), 1993, pp. 23193-23205
We present results of a series of numerical experiments for January co
nditions using a linearized spectral model which includes realistic me
an winds and dissipation. These experiments were designed to character
ize the propagation characteristics of the (3,0) mixed Rossby-gravity
mode through the middle atmosphere and into the lower thermosphere. Ou
r results suggest that the wave magnitude is extremely sensitive to th
e zonal mean winds assumed in the calculations. In particular, our res
ults suggest that a comparatively weak eastward stratomesospheric jet
during northern hemisphere winter can account for a shift in the reson
ant frequency of the quasi-two-day wave,response. Further, the inclusi
on of a realistic lower thermospheric jet in the summer lower thermosp
here sets up a reflecting layer and an associated enhancement of the s
ummer mesospheric wave signature. These features are in keeping with m
eteor and partial reflection drift radar observations.