Atmospheric Circulation in the Lower Stratosphere Induced by the Mesoscale Mountain Wave Breakdown

Abstract

Mesoscale mountain wave effects induced by the catastrophic breakdown in the lower stratosphere on the general circulation were testified by using Lindzen's (1981) parameterization scheme and Holton's (1982) quasi-one-dimensional model. The basic data obtained by Lilly and Kennedy (1973) were applied for the momentum flux radiated by the mountains. The results demonstrate that the mountain wave breakdown produce drag forces enough to predict the realistic weak wind profiles in the lower winter stratosphere. In addition, stronger meridional flows than expected so far was obtained within thin turbulence layers less than a few kilometers. More detailed simulations for the general circulation must be desired to know what is the main driving force to maintain the BrewerDobson circulation.