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JGR / Atmospheres 128(11), e2022JD038249 (2023). doi:10.1029/2022JD038249, An international joint research project, entitled Interhemispheric Coupling Study by Observations and Modelling (ICSOM), is ongoing. In the late 2000s, an interesting form of interhemispheric coupling (IHC) was discovered: when warming occurs in the winter polar stratosphere, the upper mesosphere in the summer hemisphere also becomes warmer with a time lag of days. This IHC phenomenon is considered to be a coupling through processes in the middle atmosphere (i.e., stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere). Several plausible mechanisms have been proposed so far, but they are still controversial. This is mainly because of the difficulty in observing and simulating gravity waves (GWs) at small scales, despite the important role they are known to play in middle atmosphere dynamics. In this project, by networking sparsely but globally distributed radars, mesospheric GWs have been simultaneously observed in seven boreal winters since 2015/16. We have succeeded in capturing five stratospheric sudden warming events and two polar vortex intensification events. This project also includes the development of a new data assimilation system to generate long-term reanalysis data for the whole middle atmosphere, and simulations by a state-of-the-art GW-permitting general circulation model using the reanalysis data as initial values. By analyzing data from these observations, data assimilation, and model simulation, comprehensive studies to investigate the mechanism of IHC are planned. This paper provides an overview of ICSOM, but even initial results suggest that not only GWs but also large-scale waves are important for the mechanism of the IHC., Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ

Meteor radars have become widely used instruments to study atmospheric dynamics, particularly in the 70 to 110 km altitude region. These systems have been proven to provide reliable and continuous measurements of horizontal winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Recently, there have been many attempts to utilize specular and/or transverse scatter meteor measurements to estimate vertical winds and vertical wind variability. In this study we investigate potential biases in vertical wind estimation that are intrinsic to the meteor radar observation geometry and scattering mechanism, and we introduce a mathematical debiasing process to mitigate them. This process makes use of a spatiotemporal Laplace filter, which is based on a generalized Tikhonov regularization. Vertical winds obtained from this retrieval algorithm are compared to UA-ICON model data. This comparison reveals good agreement in the statistical moments of the vertical velocity distributions. Furthermore, we present the first observational indications of a forward scatter wind bias. It appears to be caused by the scattering center's apparent motion along the meteor trajectory when the meteoric plasma column is drifted by the wind. The hypothesis is tested by a radiant mapping of two meteor showers. Finally, we introduce a new retrieval algorithm providing a physically and mathematically sound solution to derive vertical winds and wind variability from multistatic meteor radar networks such as the Nordic Meteor Radar Cluster (NORDIC) and the Chilean Observation Network De meteOr Radars (CONDOR). The new retrieval is called 3DVAR+DIV and includes additional diagnostics such as the horizontal divergence and relative vorticity to ensure a physically consistent solution for all 3D winds in spatially resolved domains. Based on this new algorithm we obtained vertical velocities in the range of w = ± 1–2 m s−1 for most of the analyzed data during 2 years of collection, which is consistent with the values reported from general circulation models (GCMs) for this timescale and spatial resolution.

Data assimilation schemes blend observational data, with limited coverage, with a short term forecast to produce an analysis, which is meant to be the best estimate of the current state of the atmosphere. Appropriately specifying observation error statistics is necessary to obtain an optimal analysis. Observation error can originate from instrument error as well as the error of representation. While representation error is most commonly associated with unresolved scales and processes, this term is often considered to include contributions from pre-processing or quality control and errors associated with the observation operator. With a focus on practical operational implementation, this chapter aims to define the components of observation error, discusses their sources and characteristics, and provides an overview of current methods for estimating observation error statistics. We highlight the implicit assumptions of these methods, as well as their shortcomings. We will detail current operational practice for diagnosing observation error and accounting for correlated observation error. Finally, we provide a practical methodology for using these diagnostics, as well as the associated innovation-based observation impact, to optimize the assimilation of meteor radar observations in the upper atmosphere.

The ordinary wave critical frequency foEs is measured routinely by ionosondes and used widely in estimating the intensity and occurrence of sporadic E (Es) metal ion layers. Recently, however, it was realized that foEs overestimates Es intensities because it corresponds to the sum of both the layer metal ion plasma and the regular E region plasma densities. To account for this, a new parameter, foμEs , was introduced that corresponds to the Es layer metal plasma density only, and a method was proposed for its calculation. In the present work, an ionosonde data set is analyzed in order to assess the importance of replacing foEs by foμEs in Es studies. To this objective, the diurnal and seasonal variability of sporadic E is re-examined. It turns out that the Es mean diurnal and seasonal variations estimated by means of using foμEs , differ substantially from those based on foEs, implying that the use of foEs leads to biased results and wrong physical inferences. It is therefore urged that foμEs is adopted and used instead of foEs, in future ionosonde sporadic E studies. The same applies for the case of satellite radio occultation (RO) sporadic E investigations as well, where foµEs should be used, instead for foEs, for calibration and validation purposes.

The edge of the winter polar vortex is thought to isolate chemistry between inside and outside. A way to test how accurately it is estimated is to examine chemical mixing ratios along a path that crosses its edge. Two edge methods are tested, one is the “Q-edge” (Harvey et al., 2002), which chooses a specific streamline; the other is scaled potential vorticity, “sPV”, which identifies an inner and outer edge depending on the local value of potential vorticity scaled according to the static stability (Manney et al., 1994). Aura MLS mixing ratios show that, statistically overall, sPV edge area agrees better with the N 2 O mixing ratio gradient below ∼700 K, albeit with more scatter. Finally direct comparison statistics on a few 10 day winter intervals show that the Q-edge is usually outside the sPV outer edge below potential temperature levels ∼400–500 K, agrees up to ∼700 K, and inside to ∼1200 K. Above that, both methods tend to agree again.

Small-scale ripple structures observed in OH airglow images are most likely induced by either dynamic instability due to large wind shear or convective instability due to superadiabatic lapse rate. Using the data set taken in the mesopause region with an OH all-sky imager at Yucca Ridge Field Station, Colorado (40.7°N, 104.9°W), from September 2003 to December 2005, we study the characteristics and seasonal variations of ripple structures. By analyzing the simultaneous background wind and temperature observed by the nearby sodium temperature/wind lidar at Fort Collins, Colorado (40.6°N, 105°W), and a nearby medium-frequency radar at Platteville, Colorado (40.2°N, 105.8°W), we are able to statistically study the possible relation between ripples and the background atmosphere conditions. Characteristics and seasonal variations of ripples are presented in detail in this study. The occurrence frequency of ripples exhibits clear seasonal variability, with peak in autumn. The occurrence of ripples shows a local time dependence, which is most likely associated with the solar tides. The lifetime and spatial scale of these ripples are typically 5–20 min and 5–10 km, respectively, and most of the ripples move preferentially either southward or northward. However, more than half of the observed ripples do not advect with background flow; they have higher Richardson numbers than those ripples that advect with background flow. It is possible that they are not instability features but wave structures that are hard to be distinguished from the real instability features.

The ordinary wave critical frequency foEs is measured routinely by ionosondes and used widely in estimating the intensity and occurrence of sporadic E (Es) metal ion layers. Recently, however, it was realized that foEs overestimates Es intensities because it corresponds to the sum of both the layer metal ion plasma and the regular E region plasma densities. To account for this, a new parameter, foμEs, was introduced that corresponds to the Es layer metal plasma density only, and a method was proposed for its calculation. In the present work, an ionosonde data set is analyzed to assess the importance of replacing foEs by foμEs in Es studies. To this objective, the diurnal and seasonal variability of sporadic E is re-examined. It turns out that the Es mean diurnal and seasonal variations estimated by means of using foμEs, differ substantially from those based on foEs, implying that the use of foEs leads to biased results and wrong physical inferences. It is therefore urged that foμEs is adopted and used instead of foEs, in future ionosonde sporadic E studies. The same applies for the case of satellite radio occultation (RO) sporadic E investigations as well, where foμEs should be used, instead of foEs, for calibration and validation purposes. All this is equally valid in the case of the blanketing sporadic E frequency fbEs and the corresponding new parameter fbμEs that needs also to be adopted and used.

The "Scandinavian Triangle" is a unique trio of radars within the DATAR Project (Dynamics and Temperatures from the Arctic MLT (60–97km) region): Andenes MF radar (69°N, 16°E); Tromsø MF radar (70°N, 19°E) and Esrange "Meteor" radar (68°N, 21°E). The radar-spacings range from 125-270km, making it unique for studies of wind variability associated with small-scale waves, comparisons of large-scale waves measured over small spacings, and for comparisons of winds from different radar systems. As such it complements results from arrays having spacings of 25km and 500km that have been located near Saskatoon. Correlation analysis is used to demonstrate a speed bias (MF smaller than the Meteor) between the radar types, which varies with season and altitude. Annual climatologies for the year 2000 of mean winds, solar tides, planetary and gravity waves are presented, and show indications of significant spatial variability across the Triangle and of differences in wave characteristics from middle latitudes. Key words: Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; waves and tides: instrument and techniques)

The Northern Hemispheric winter is disturbed by large scale variability mainly caused by Planetary Waves (PWs), which interact with the mean flow and thus result in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs). The effects of a SSW on the middle atmosphere are an increase of stratospheric and a simultaneous decrease of mesospheric temperature as well as a wind reversal to westward wind from the mesosphere to the stratosphere. In most cases these disturbances are strongest at polar latitudes, get weaker toward the south and vanish at mid-latitudes around 50° to 60° N as for example during the winter 2005/06. However, other events like in 2009, 2010 and 2012 show a similar or even stronger westward wind at mid- than at polar latitudes either in the mesosphere or in the stratosphere during the SSW. This study uses local meteor and MF-radar measurements, global satellite observations from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and assimilated model data from MERRA (Modern-ERA Retrospective analysis for research and Applications). We compare differences in the latitudinal structure of the zonal wind, temperature and PW activity between a "normal" event, where the event in 2006 was chosen representatively, and the latitudinal displaced events in 2009, 2010 and 2012. A continuous westward wind band between the pole and 20° N is observed during the displaced events. Furthermore, distinctive temperature differences at mid-latitudes occur before the displaced warmings compared to 2006 as well as a southward extended stratospheric warming afterwards. These differences between the normal SSW in 2006 and the displaced events in 2009, 2010 and 2012 are linked to an increased PW activity between 30° N and 50° N and the changed stationary wave flux in the stratosphere around the displaced events compared to 2006.

Efforts have been made to extend the MF radar tidal profiles to E-region heights. The totally reflected MF radar echoes from E-region heights during daytime are known to be group-retarded and the corresponding wind and tidal data will have associated height discrepancies. The estimation of the E-region real heights (Namboothiri et al., 1993), and the elimination of the data for which the group retardation is significant, are selected as the basic criteria to extend the tidal profiles to 100-125 km. The analysis of the quiet (Ap

Using 5 years of all-sky OH airglow imager data over Yucca Ridge Field Station, CO (40.7°N, 104.9°W), from September 2003 to September 2008, we extract and deduce quasi-monochromatic gravity wave (GW) characteristics in the mesopause region. The intrinsic periods are clustered between approximately 4 and 10 min, and many of them are unstable and evanescent. GW occurrence frequency exhibits a clear semiannual variation with equinoctial minima, which is likely related to the seasonal variation of background wind. The anomalous propagation direction in January 2006, with strong southward before major warming starting in 21 January and weak southward propagation afterward, was most likely affected by stratospheric sudden warming. The momentum fluxes show strongly anticorrelated with the tides, with ~180° out of phase in the zonal component. While in the meridional component, the easterly maximum occurred approximately 2–6 h after maximum easterly tidal wind. However, the anticorrelations are both weakest during the summer. The dissipating and breaking of small-scale and high-frequency GW's components could have a potential impact on the general circulation in the mesopause region.

The meteor trail echo decay rates are analysed on-site to provide daily temperatures near 90 km. In order to get temperatures from trail decay times, either knowledge of the pressure or the background temperature height gradient near 90 km is required (Hocking, 1999). Hocking et al. (2004) have developed an empirical 90 km temperature gradient model depending only on latitude and time of year, which is used in the SKiYMET on-site meteor temperature analysis. Here we look at the sensitivity of the resulting temperature to the assumed gradient and compare it and the temperatures with daily AuraMLS averages near Eureka. Generally there is good agreement between radar and satellite for winter temperatures and their short-term variations. However there is a major difference in mid-summer both in the temperatures and the gradients. Increased turbulence in summer, which may overwhelm the ambipolar diffusion even at 90 km, is likely a major factor. These differences are investigated by generating ambipolar-controlled decay times from satellite pressure and temperature data at a range of heights and comparing with radar measurements. Our study suggests it may be possible to use these data to estimate eddy diffusion coefficients at heights below 90 km. Finally the simple temperature analysis (using satellite pressures), and a standard meteor wind analysis are used to compare mean diurnal variations of temperature (T) with those of zonal wind (U) and meridional wind (V) in composite multi-year monthly intervals.

As a consequence of dynamically variable meteorological conditions, springtime Arctic ozone levels exhibit significant interannual variability in the lower stratosphere. In winter 2011, the polar vortex was strong and cold for an unusually long time. Our research site, located at Eureka, Nunavut, Canada (80.05° N, 86.42° W), was mostly inside the vortex from October 2010 until late March 2011. The Bruker 125HR Fourier transform infrared spectrometer installed at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory at Eureka acquired measurements from 23 February to 6 April during the 2011 Canadian Arctic Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Validation Campaign. These measurements showed unusually low ozone, HCl, and HNO3 total columns compared to the previous 14 yr. To remove dynamical effects, we normalized these total columns by the HF total column. The normalized values of the ozone, HCl, and HNO3 total columns were smaller than those from previous years, and confirmed the occurrence of chlorine activation and chemical ozone depletion. To quantify the chemical ozone loss, a three-dimensional chemical transport model, SLIMCAT, and the passive subtraction method were used. The chemical ozone depletion was calculated as the mean percentage difference between the measured ozone and the SLIMCAT passive ozone, and was found to be 35%.

Piecewise trend analysis is applied to midlatitude mesosphere/lower thermosphere winds over Europe and Canada. In summer, there are similar trends in each time series of prevailing winds. The zonal prevailing winds in winter show partly opposite behavior at different longitudes, which may be explained by a stationary planetary wave (SPW) influence. Differences between Collm (52°N, 15°E) and Obninsk (55°N, 37°E), both in Europe, are correlated with SPW variability at the interannual time scale, and with tropospheric circulation at the decadal time scale. There are also hints that summer zonal prevailing winds are connected with Southern Hemisphere planetary waves at long time scales. The long-term variation of semidiurnal tidal (SDT) amplitudes corresponds with that of the zonal prevailing wind in a sense that several joint breakpoints of trends are visible. Obninsk and Collm SDT amplitudes show, however, an out-of-phase variability on the decadal time scale.

Operation of a Meteor Radar (MWR) at Eureka, Ellesmere Island (80° N, 86° W) began in February 2006: this is the location of the Polar Environmental and Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL), operated by the "Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change" (CANDAC). The first 36 months of tidal wind data (82–97 km) are here combined with contemporaneous tides from the Meteor Radar (MWR) at Adventdalen, Svalbard (78° N, 16° E), to provide the first significant evidence for interannual variability (IAV) of the High Arctic's diurnal and semidiurnal migrating (MT) and non-migrating tides (NMT). The three-year monthly means for both diurnal (DT) and semi-diurnal (SDT) winds demonstrate significantly different amplitudes and phases at Eureka and Svalbard. Typically the summer-maximizing DT is much larger (~24 m s−1 at 97 km) at Eureka, while the Svalbard tide (5–24 m s−1 at 97 km)) is almost linear (north-south) rather than circular. Interannual variations are smallest in the summer and autumn months. The High Arctic SDT has maxima centred on August/September, followed in size by the winter features; and is much larger at Svalbard (24 m s−1 at 97 km, versus 14–18 m s−1 in central Canada). Depending on the location, the IAV are largest in spring/winter (Eureka) and summer/autumn (Svalbard). Fitting of wave-numbers for the migrating and non-migrating tides (MT, NMT) determines dominant tides for each month and height. Existence of NMT is consistent with nonlinear interactions between migrating tides and (quasi) stationary planetary wave (SPW) S=1 (SPW1). For the diurnal oscillation, NMT s=0 for the east-west (EW) wind component dominates (largest tide) in the late autumn and winter (November–February); and s=+2 is frequently seen in the north-south (NS) wind component for the same months. The semi-diurnal oscillation's NMT s=+1 dominates from March to June/July. There are patches of s=+3 and +1, in the late fall-winter. These wave numbers are also consistent with SPW1-MT interactions. Comparisons for 2007 of the observed DT and SDT at 78–80° N, with those within the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model Data Assimilation System CMAM-DAS, are a major feature of this paper. The diurnal tides for the two locations have important similarities as observed and modeled, with seasonal maxima in the mesosphere from April to October, and similar phases with long/evanescent wavelengths. However, differences are also significant: observed Eureka amplitudes are generally larger than the model; and at Svalbard the modeled tide is classically circular, rather than anomalous. For the semi-diurnal tide, the amplitudes and phases differ markedly between Eureka and Svalbard for both MWR-radar data and CMAM-DAS data. The seasonal variations from observed and modeled archives also differ at each location. Tidal NMT-amplitudes and wave-numbers for the model differ substantially from observations.

Ozone profile data have been retrieved from the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System (OSIRIS) instrument onboard the Odin Satellite, which was launched on 20 February 2001. Considering the irregular sampling of the OSIRIS, a least-squares fit method is employed to provide the wavenumber and frequency spectra of the waves affecting the OSIRIS ozone profile distributions. Meanwhile, criteria are developed and applied for reducing spectral biases. Then spectral analysis of the global OSIRIS ozone profiles data is perfomred at altitudes of 38.5 km and 40.5 km within two latitude bins 35˚-45˚N and 45˚-55˚N during days 75-105 of the year 2002. Specifically, a westward-propagating 10-day planetary wave is detected and validated by medium frequency (MF) Radar (MFR) at Platteville (40˚N, 105˚W) and Saskatoon (52˚N, 107˚W), and UKMO global stratospheric data (UK Meteorological Office assimilated model). The spatial and temporal distributions of the global OSIRIS ozone profile data are shown to allow identification of major planetary wave features in the middle atmosphere.

This study assesses the relation between the year-to-year variability of the semidiurnal tides (SDT) observed at high latitudes of both hemispheres and the global stratospheric stationary planetary wave (SPW) with zonal wavenumber S=1 (SPW1) derived from the UKMO temperature data. No significant positive correlation can be identified between the interannual variability of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) SDT and the Southern Hemisphere (SH) SPW1 for austral late-winter months. In contrast, a good consistency is evident for the interannual variations between the SDT observed at Rothera (68°S, 68°W) and the Arctic SPW1 for NH mid-winter months. Since it has been observed that during austral summer the non-migrating SDT often plays a significant role at the latitude of Rothera, a physical link between the SH SDT and the NH SPW is suggested. This asymmetry in the interhemispheric link is also noted in a recent study.

The advent of satellite based sampling brings with it the opportunity to examine virtually any part of the globe. Aura MLS mesospheric temperature data are analysed in a wavelet format for easy identification of possible planetary waves (PW) and aliases masquerading as PW. A calendar year, 2005, of eastward, stationary, and westward waves at a selected latitude is shown in separate panels for wave number range −3 to +3 for period range 8 h to 30 days (d). Such a wavelet analysis is made possible by Aura's continuous sampling at all latitudes 82° S–82° N. The data presentation is suitable for examination of years of data. However this paper focuses on the striking feature of a "dish-shaped" upper limit to periods near 2 d in mid-summer, with longer periods appearing towards spring and fall, a feature also commonly seen in radar winds. The most probable cause is suggested to be filtering by the summer jet at 70–80 km, the latter being available from ground based medium frequency radar (MFR). Classically, the phase velocity of a wave must be greater than that of the jet in order to propagate through it. As an attempt to directly relate satellite and ground based sampling, a PW event of period 8d and wave number 2, which appears to be the original rather than an alias, is compared with ground based radar wind data. An appendix discusses characteristics of satellite data aliases with regard to their periods and amplitudes.

Operation of a Meteor Radar at Eureka, Ellesmere Island (80° N, 86° W) began in February 2006. The first 12 months of wind data (82–97 km) are combined with winds from the Adventdalen, Svalbard Island (78° N, 16° E) Meteor Radar to provide the first contemporaneous longitudinally spaced observations of mean winds, tides and planetary waves at such high Arctic latitudes. Unique polar information on diurnal non-migrating tides (NMT) is provided, as well as complementary information to that existing for the Antarctic on the semidiurnal NMT. Zonal and meridional monthly mean winds differed significantly between Canada and Norway, indicating the influence of stationary planetary waves (SPW) in the Arctic mesopause region. Both diurnal (D) and semi-diurnal (SD) winds also demonstrated significantly different magnitudes at Eureka and Svalbard. Typically the D tide was larger at Eureka and the SD tide was larger at Svalbard. Tidal amplitudes in the Arctic were also generally larger than expected from extrapolation of high mid-latitude data. For example time-sequences from ~90 km showed D wind oscillations at Eureka of 30 m/s in February–March, and four day bursts of SD winds at Svalbard reached 40 m/s in June 2006. Fitting of wave numbers for the migrating and non-migrating tides (MT, NMT) successfully determines dominant tides for each month and height. For the diurnal tide, NMT with s=0, +2 (westward) dominate in non-summer months, while for the semi-diurnal tide NMT with s=+1, +3 occur most often during equinoctial or early summer months. These wave numbers are consistent with stationary planetary wave (SPW)-tidal interactions. Assessment of the global topographic forcing and atmospheric propagation of the SPW (S=1, 2) suggests these winter waves of the Northern Hemisphere are associated with the 78–80° N diurnal NMT, but that the SPW of the Southern Hemisphere winter have little influence on the summer Arctic tidal fields. In contrast the large SPW and NMT of the Arctic winter may be associated, consistent with Antarctic observations, with the observed occurrence of the semidiurnal NMT in the Antarctic summer.

Sporadic E layers (Es) follow regular daily patterns in variability and altitude descent, which are determined primarily by the vertical tidal wind shears in the lower thermosphere. In the present study a large set of sporadic E layer incoherent scatter radar (ISR) measurements are analyzed. These were made at Arecibo (Geog. Lat. ~18° N; Magnetic Dip ~50°) over many years with ISR runs lasting from several hours to several days, covering evenly all seasons. A new methodology is applied, in which both weak and strong layers are clearly traced by using the vertical electron density gradient as a function of altitude and time. Taking a time base equal to the 24-h local day, statistics were obtained on the seasonal behavior of the diurnal and semidiurnal tidal variability and altitude descent patterns of sporadic E at Arecibo. The diurnal tide, most likely the S(1,1) tide with a vertical wavelength around 25 km, controls fully the formation and descent of the metallic Es layers at low altitudes below 110 km. At higher altitudes, there are two prevailing layers formed presumably by vertical wind shears associated mainly with semidiurnal tides. These include: 1) a daytime layer starting at ~130 km around midday and descending down to 105 km by local midnight, and 2) a less frequent and weaker nighttime layer which starts prior to midnight at ~130 km, descending downwards at somewhat faster rate to reach 110 km by sunrise. The diurnal and semidiurnal-like pattern prevails, with some differences, in all seasons. The differences in occurrence, strength and descending speeds between the daytime and nighttime upper layers are not well understood from the present data alone and require further study.

The vortex during winter 2004/2005 was interesting for several reasons. It has been described as "cold" stratospherically, with relatively strong westerly winds. Losses of ozone until the final warming in March were considerable, and comparable to the cold 1999–2000 winter. There were also modest warming events, indicated by peaks in 10 hPa zonal mean temperatures at high latitudes, near 1 January and 1 February. Events associated with a significant regional stratospheric warming in the Pacific-Western Canada (PWC) sector then began and peaked toward the end of February, providing strong longitudinal variations in dynamical characteristics (Chshyolkova et al., 2007; hereafter C07). The associated disturbed vortex of 25 February was displaced from the pole and either elongated (upper) or split into two cyclonic centres (lower). Observations from Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on Aura are used here to study the thermal characteristics of the stratosphere in the Canadian-US (253° E) and Scandinavian-Europe (16° E) sectors. Undisturbed high latitude stratopause (55 km) zonal mean temperatures during the mid-winter (December–February) reached 270 K, warmer than empirical-models such as CIRA-86, suggesting that seasonal polar warming due to dynamical influences affects the high altitude stratosphere as well as the mesosphere. There were also significant stratopause differences between Scandinavia and Canada during the warming events of 1 January and 1 February, with higher temperatures near 275 K at 16° E. During the 25 February "PWC" event a warming occurred at low and middle stratospheric heights (10–30 km: 220 K at 253° E) and the stratopause cooled; while over Scandinavia-Europe the stratosphere below ~30 km was relatively cold at 195 K and the stratopause became even warmer (>295 K) and lower (~45 km). The zonal winds followed the associated temperature gradients so that the vertical and latitudinal gradients of the winds differed strongly between Scandinavia-Europe and Canada-US. The data-archive of Aura-MLS was also used to produce height versus latitude contours of ozone and related constituents, using mixing ratios (r) for ClO, N2O and HCl, for the 16° E and 253° E sectors. The Q-diagnostic was used to display the positions of the cyclonic (polar) vortex, using data from the UK Meteorological Office (MetO) analyses. ClO/HCL maxima/minima occurred on 1 February in both sectors, consistent with loss of ozone by heterogeneous chemistry. Low N2O values at high latitudes indicated that both sectors were inside the polar vortex, Time-difference plots show greater reductions in O3 in the Canadian sector. For the 25 February PWC warming event, O3-rich air from lower latitudes continued to be excluded from Europe, while O3 penetrated to at least 82° N over the Canadian sector. The contours for ClO, N2O and HCl at 16° E are consistent with continued ozone loss within the vortex during the event. Finally the thermal and chemical changes at these 16° E and 253° E sectors are placed into a hemispheric context using polar-cylindrical plots, with the following results. Firstly, the mixing ratios of O3, ClO, HNO3, HCL and the temperatures from Aura-MLS were consistent with consensus views of heterogeneous chemistry. Secondly, and consistent with the polar plots of C07, the vortices and their edges were strongly distorted during the 1 January, 1 and 25 February warming events, with sinusoidal shapes consistent with stationary planetary waves of wave-numbers 1 and 2. Thirdly, the distributions of the chemicals followed the curvatures (cyclonic and anticyclonic) of the vortex edges with O3 losses occurring at the cold cyclonic locations. During February these were over Scandinavia-Western Europe and Central-Eastern Canada. Trajectory analysis was applied to the two February warming events. For the 1 February event, the rotation time for air parcels within the peanut-shaped vortex was 3–4 days; while the O3-rich low latitude air that entered the Pacific-Western Canada sector during the 25 February event, showed no signs of becoming trapped within the highly distorted but still strong remnant of the polar vortex.

The coupling of the dynamical regimes in the high- and low-latitude stratosphere and mesosphere during the major SSW in the Arctic winter of 2003/2004 has been studied. The UKMO zonal wind data were used to explore the latitudinal coupling in the stratosphere, while the coupling in the mesosphere was investigated by neutral wind measurements from eleven radars situated at high, high-middle and tropical latitudes. It was found that the inverse relationship between the variability of the zonal mean flows at high- and low-latitude stratosphere related to the SSW is produced by global-scale zonally symmetric waves. Their origin and other main features have been investigated in detail. Similar latitudinal dynamical coupling has been found for the mesosphere as well. Indirect evidence for the presence of zonally symmetric waves in the mesosphere has been found.

The stratosphere–mesosphere response to the major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in the winter of 2003/2004 has been studied. The UKMO (UK Meteorological Office) data set was used to examine the features of the large-scale thermodynamic anomalies present in the stratosphere of the Northern Hemisphere. The vertical and latitudinal structure of the genuine anomalies, emphasized by removing the UKMO climatology, has been investigated as well. The features of the stratospheric anomalies have been related to the mesospheric ones in measured neutral winds from radars and temperatures from meteor radars (∼90 km). It was found that the stratospheric warming spread to the lower mesosphere, while cooling occurred in the upper mesosphere, a feature that may be related to the large vertical scales of the stationary planetary waves (SPWs). It was shown also that the beginning of the eastward wind deceleration in the stratosphere–mesosphere system coincided with the maximum amplification of the SPW1 accompanied by short-lived bursts of waves 2 and 3.

We have examined the temporal development of an established proxy for turbulent intensity for the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region above Tromso (70°N, 19°E) for the period 1999 to present. We find an indication of steadily increasing turbulence in the upper mesosphere and the lower thermosphere and decreasing turbulence in the mid-mesosphere, the height of the demarcation between positive and negative trends varying somewhat with season. Although beyond the scope of this study, anthropological sources, causing lower atmosphere warming and upper atmosphere cooling, are strong candidates for the underlying cause of the trend. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society

Tendencies of mesosphere/lower thermosphere winds are investigated using updated multi-year ground-based data obtained at three mid-latitude stations located at Collm (Germany), Obninsk (Russia) and Saskatoon (Canada). For the first time for the mesosphere/lower thermosphere winds we consider in this study a family of trends, which includes both broken and straight-lines, to check a possible change of the wind tendencies during 1964–2004. General peculiarities of year-to-year wind variations are considered for annual mean, winter and summer prevailing winds and semidiurnal tides. Our results suppose a change in rates/directions of wind tendencies during the time interval 1964–2004. In particular, the annual mean zonal (eastward) wind decreases until the 1980s, but after that does not have a significant trend; similarly, the annual mean meridional (northward) wind increases until the 1990s and then does not have a significant trend. The behaviour of the summer prevailing wind both for the meridional and zonal components differ from that of annual winds, so that they increase after the trend's break. Rather large rates of decrease of tidal amplitudes (1.1–1.4 m/s/year) in the earlier years of measurements become smaller (about 6 times) in the beginning of the 1970s.

The 5-day wave is the gravest symmetric Hough mode of westward propagating zonal wavenumber 1. This wave is observed using the SABER instrument aboard the TIMED satellite during the first three years of the spacecraft mission (2002–2004). Supporting measurements were made with mesospheric radar systems. To better interpret the observations, the NCAR thermosphere–ionosphere–mesosphere–electrodynamics general circulation model (TIME-GCM) simulation of year 2003 is used for comparative analysis. For the simulation the lower boundary was specified using NCEP data. The climatology from SABER shows a May maximum in the amplitude of the 5-day wave, which is consistent with the seasonal dependence found in earlier studies. A particularly strong wave with a ∼ 6 day period was observed in May 2003 and is studied in some detail. There is considerable evidence from both data and model in our study that a major source for this wave was in the southern (winter) hemisphere. Cross-equatorial ducting allowed the wave to propagate into the northern (summer) hemisphere, where it was amplified by baroclinic instability.

Kinetic energy dissipation rates for the auroral MLT have been obtained from the Tromso middle frequency radar (MFR) and compared with simultaneous measurements of neutral wind-shears obtained from the Nippon/Norway Tromso meteor radar (NTMR). Since wind-shears can drive dynamic instabilities which in turn result in turbulent dissipation of kinetic energy, we would expect these parameters to be correlated, and this is indeed the case. Having established this correlation we quantitatively combine the results from each radar to estimate the turbulent diffusion coefficient for momentum; considering the tentative nature of this approach, we find the agreement with previous estimates to be surprisingly good.

The MetO assimilated data and mesospheric winds provided by five medium frequency radars (MFR) from the Canada US Japan Opportunity (CUJO) network have been used to study coupling processes due to planetary waves (PWs) in the middle atmosphere. It is shown that there is strong vertical coupling between the stratosphere and mesosphere especially during winter months. However, not all observed disturbances in mesospheric winds can be explained by the simple propagation of PWs from below. In addition to the vertical coupling there is also weaker horizontal “inter-hemispheric” coupling during equinoxes. The data used are from December 2000 to December 2002. The time interval was chosen to include austral winters and springs of 2 years: the dynamically unusual year 2002, during which a major stratospheric warming involving a split vortex and wind reversals occurred in the Southern Hemisphere, and a more typical year 2001. The character of PW activity during these 2 years is compared. In contrast to the usually weak PW activity dominated by eastward motions, both strong eastward and westward propagating waves existed during austral winter of 2002. Wavelet spectra of MetO winds show strong peaks near 14 days that match similar signals observed in mesospheric winds at Antarctic stations [Dowdy et al., 2004. The large-scale dynamics of the mesosphere–lower thermosphere during the SH stratospheric warming of 2002. Geophysical Research Letters 31, L14102. doi:10.1029/2004GL020282 ] during the stratospheric warming. It is suggested that this oscillation was generated at low atmospheric heights and propagated upward. The longer duration of the stratospheric–mesospheric winter vortex (7 months) compared to that of the summer jet in the Northern Hemisphere provide equinoctial months when eastward winds dominate globally. Results suggest that during equinoxes, with favourable conditions, the PWs with ∼10-, 16- and 25-day periods can penetrate to the opposite hemisphere.

The atmospheric coupling due to Planetary Waves (PW) in the middle atmosphere (20-90km) has been studied using TOMS, MetO and MFR data. The wavelet and wave number analyses have been applied to all parameters at five CUJO (Canada US Japan Opportunity) locations. The CUJO network covers latitudes of 31-52° N and longitudes from 81° W to 142° E, and allows for the assessment of longitudinal variability. The results of temporal and spectral comparisons show that the total ozone (TOMS) and MetO temperatures at low stratospheric heights (typically 100mbar) have high values of correlation as well as similar spectral content. The eastward motions dominate at low stratospheric heights (100mbar), while westward motions became comparable or even stronger in the upper stratosphere (0.46mbar). During the summer months a reduction of PW activity has been observed in the stratosphere, especially at its upper heights, and in the upper middle atmosphere. The MetO (0.32mbar, 55km) and MFR winds (circa 60km) are in good general agreement, especially for the zonal component. Several examples of planetary wave activity at different atmospheric levels throughout the middle atmosphere have been presented. These examples include an eastward propagating 15-day disturbance with wave number 6, that has been observed only at low stratospheric heights; long-period (20-30 days) oscillations with wave number ~1 that have been detected in a wide height range (20-90km); and an oscillation with period near 16 days that was found only at mesospheric heights.

Oscillations in the wind field due to the “quasi two-day” wave (Q2DW) have been studied using 14 years of Medium Frequency (MF) radar data over Saskatoon (52°N). The results of analyses have shown that the Q2DW exhibits complex seasonal variability: in addition to the well-known strong summer activity the wave also has been found in winter months. In summer the amplitudes of the Q2DW in meridional (NS) and zonal (EW) winds have comparable values, while they tend to be larger in EW winds in winter. The heights of the maximum amplitude are lower in winter than in summer and there are indications of changes in the dominant period of oscillations throughout the year.

The large V/m electric fields inherent in the lower mesosphere play an essential role in lower ionospheric electrodynamics. They must be the cause of large variations in the electron temperature and the electron collision frequency and consequently of the transition of the ionospheric plasma in the lower part of the D region into a nonisothermal state. This study is based on the datasets on large mesospheric electric fields collected with the 2.2-MHz radar of the Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Canada (52°N geographic latitude, 60.4°N geomagnetic latitude), and with the 2.3-MHz radar of the Kharkiv V. Karazin National University, Ukraine (49.6°N geographic latitude, 45.6°N geomagnetic latitude). The statistical analysis of these data is presented by [Meek, C.E., Manson, A.H., Martynenko, S.I., Rozumenko, V.T., Tyrnov, O.F. Remote sensing of mesospheric electric fields using MF radars. J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys. 66, 881–890, 2004. 10.1016/j.jastp.2004.02.002]. The large mesospheric electric fields in the 60–67-km altitude range are experimentally established to follow a Rayleigh distribution in the 0 < E < 2.5 V/m interval. These data have permitted the resulting differential distributions of relative disturbances in the electron temperature, θ, and the effective electron collision frequency, η, to be determined. The most probable θ and η values are found to be in the 1.4–2.2 interval, and hence the nonstationary state of the lower part of the D region needs to be accounted for in studying processes coupling the electrically active mesosphere and the lower ionospheric plasma.

The Arctic MLT wind regime parameters measured at the ground-based network of MF and meteor radar stations (Andenes 69° N, Tromsø 70° N, Esrange 68° N, Dixon 73.5° N, Poker Flat 65° N and Resolute Bay 75° N) are discussed and compared with those observed in the mid-latitudes. The network of the ground-based MF and meteor radars for measuring winds in the Arctic upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere provides an excellent opportunity for study of the main global dynamical structures in this height region and their dependence from longitude. Preliminary estimates of the differences between the measured winds and tides from the different radar types, situated 125-273km apart (Tromsø, Andenes and Esrange), are provided. Despite some differences arising from using different types of radars it is possible to study the dynamical wind structures. It is revealed that most of the observed dynamical structures are persistent from year to year, thus permitting the analysis of the Arctic MLT dynamics in a climatological sense. The seasonal behaviour of the zonally averaged wind parameters is, to some extent, similar to that observed at the moderate latitudes. However, the strength of the winds (except the prevailing meridional wind and the diurnal tide amplitudes) in the Arctic MLT region is, in general, less than that detected at the moderate latitudes, decreasing toward the pole. There are also some features in the vertical structure and seasonal variations of the Arctic MLT winds which are different from the expectations of the well-known empirical wind models CIRA-86 and HWM-93. The tidal phases show a very definite longitudinal dependence that permits the determination of the corresponding zonal wave numbers. It is shown that the migrating tides play an important role in the dynamics of the Arctic MLT region. However, there are clear indications with the presence in some months of non-migrating tidal modes of significant appreciable amplitude.

Large mesospheric electric fields can play an essential role in middle atmospheric electrodynamics (see, e.g., Goldberg, R. A., Middle Atmospheric Electrodynamics during MAP, Adv. Space Res. 10 (10) (1990) 209). The V/m electric fields of atmospheric origin can be the possible cause of large variations in the electron collision frequency at mesospheric altitudes, and this provides a unique opportunity to take measurements of electric fields in the lower ionosphere by using remote sensing instruments employing radiowave techniques. A technique has been proposed for making estimates of large mesospheric electric field intensities on the lower edge of the ionosphere by using MF radar data and the inherent effective electron collision frequency. To do this, data collected in Canada and Ukraine were utilized. The developed technique permits the changes in mesospheric electric field intensities to be derived from MF radar data in real time. The statistical analysis of data consistent with large mesospheric electric field intensities in the 60– 67 km region resulted in the following inferences. There are at least two mechanisms for the generation of large mesospheric electric fields in the mesosphere. The most likely mechanism, with a probability of 60–70%, is the summation of random fields from a large number of elementary small-scale mesospheric generators, which results in a one-parameter Rayleigh distribution of the total large mesospheric electric field intensity E with a mean value of approximately 0.7– 0.9 V/m in the 60– 67 km altitude region, or in the corresponding one-parameter exponential distribution of the intensity squared E2 of large mesospheric electric fields. The second mechanism of unknown nature, with 5–15% probability, gives rise to the sporadic appearance of large mesospheric electric field intensities E>2.5 V/m with a mean of 4 V/m . Statistically significant seasonal differences in the averaged large mesospheric electric field parameters have not been revealed. The probability of the absence of local large mesospheric electric fields amounts to approximately 25% for Ukraine and approximately 30% for Canada. A comparison of the Ukrainian and Canadian data indicates the possible existence of a latitudinal dependence in mean large mesospheric electric field features. Hence, the large electric fields are an additional source of electron heating that must be taken into account in studying a disturbed lower ionosphere and radio wave propagation within it.

HRDI (High Resolution Doppler Interferometer-UARS) winds data have been analyzed in 4°-latitude by 10°-longitude cells at 96km to obtain the global distribution of the solar-tidal amplitudes and phases. The solstices June–July (1993), December–January (1993–1994), and one equinox (September–October, 1994) are analyzed. In an earlier paper (Manson et al., 2002b) the emphasis was solely upon the longitudinal and latitudinal variations of the amplitudes and phases of the semidiurnal (12h) and diurnal (24h) tides. The longitudinal structures were shown to be quite distinctive, and in the case of the EW component of the diurnal tide there were typically four maxima/perturbations of amplitudes or phases around a latitude circle. In this case they tended to be associated with the locations of the major oceans. Here, a spatial complex spectral analysis has been applied to the data set, to obtain the zonal wave numbers for the tides as functions of latitude. For the diurnal tide the dominant s=1 migrating component and nonmigrating tides with wave numbers s=–3, –2, 0, 2 are identified; and for the semidiurnal tide, as well as the dominant s=2 migrating component, the spectra indicate the presence of nonmigrating tides with wave numbers s=–2, 0, 4. These wave numbers are also simply related to the global longitudinal structures in the tidal amplitudes and phases. Comparisons are made with the Global Scale Wave Model (GSWM-02), which now incorporates migrating and nonmigrating tides associated with tropospheric latent heat processes, and offers monthly outputs. For the diurnal tide the dominant nonmigrating tidal spectral feature (94km) is for wave number s=–3; it is relatively stronger than in the HRDI winds, and produces quite consistent structures in the global tidal fields with four longitudinal maxima. Overall, the modelled 24-h tidal amplitudes are larger than observed during the equinox beyond 40° latitude. For the semidiurnal tide, nonmigrating tides are frequently indicated in the spectra with wave numbers s=–2, 0, 6; and there are complementary longitudinal structures in the global tidal fields with two and four maxima evident. Modelled 12-h tidal amplitudes are much smaller than observed during non-winter months beyond 30°. There is a detailed discussion of the spectral features, their seasonal variations, and the similarities with the HRDI tidal data. This discussion is in the context of the inherent limitations of the model.Key words. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; thermospheric dynamics; waves and tides)

Investigation of the wind regime during solstices (1998–1999) allowed the presentation of the vertical structure of the intensity of planetary waves in the zonal and meridional wind. The seasonal dependence of the vertical structure of these planetary wave amplitudes is determined at middle atmosphere heights. Daily mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) experimental data, measured at Collm (52N 15E, LF D1 radar), Kazan (56N 49E, meteor radar) and Saskatoon (52N 103W, MF radar) in the height range 80–100 km, and UKMO assimilated wind data from the British Atmospheric Data Center in the height range 0–55 km are used. In winter, maxima of the planetary wave intensity are observed near the tropopause and in the stratosphere. A decrease of the planetary wave intensity in the mesosphere coincides with the weakening of the stratospheric jet, and with the decay of the zonal flow in the mesosphere. Processes such as radiative suppression of planetary waves in the mesosphere and their additional reductions as a result of wave interactions and interactions with the zonal flow may explain these significant decreases of the intensity. Rotational spectra and estimates of rotational amplitudes in the height range of the middle atmosphere allow the investigation of the change of rotation direction of the horizontal wind vector dependent on height and period of the wave perturbations.

In an earlier study based upon medium frequency radar (MFR) data from Saskatoon (52°N) the variability of time-sequences of gravity wave (GW) variances was linked to tidal (12,24 h ) and planetary wave (2 d ) oscillations of the wind. Fifty days of data were chosen from each of winter, spring and autumn seasons for this most comprehensive assessment of wave interactions. While modulations of the GW variances were observed, the results indicated considerable intermittency in the strength and direction of waves from the GW sources. Here we extend the study to other sites in the MLT-MFR (mesosphere, lower-thermosphere) network, and focus upon the planetary waves (PWs) and their modulating influences upon the GW variances. The PW events include the 2 d waves as seen at Saskatoon, London, Hawaii and Christmas Island during the summer of 1994; and 16 d wave activity evidenced at Saskatoon and London throughout 1994, and also during 12 and 7 years of observations, respectively. The modulations of the sequences of GW variances (10– 100/150 min , 2– 6 h periods) are significant, and the phase-differences between the PW (2 d ,16 d ) oscillations in the time-sequences of the winds and of the GW variances allow the propagation directions for the GW fluxes to be inferred. These are eastward in summer months and westward in winter at MLT (60– 90 km ) altitudes.

Mesosphere/lower thermosphere wind data sets from three midlatitude sites and UKMO assimilated wind data in the height range 0–55 km at 55°N were used to show the altitudinal and longitudinal variability of mean winds and planetary waves at mid-latitudes during solstices. In spite of the existence of longitudinal differences of the prevailing winds and the annual and semiannual oscillations, certain common features of the zonal wind height profiles are visible in the height range 10–100 km. The maxima of the mean annual winds and of the intensities of the annual and semiannual oscillations occur near the stratopause. In the height range 80–100 km there is an increase in the annual mean winds and in the amplitudes of the annual and semiannual oscillations; also the semiannual oscillation is larger than the annual one. Minima of the annual/semiannual oscillation amplitudes at heights of 85–95/80–85 km are accompanied by corresponding phase changes of 180 degrees in relation to those values near the stratopause. The height structure of meridional wind parameters is more complicated, with dependences on longitude and height. Longitudinal variability in the intensity of planetary waves was also found.

Four years of auroral latitude radar echo signal fading time data from the Tromso MF radar compared with geomagnetic and solar indices yield strong evidence to suggest, although not prove, that upper mesospheric turbulence may be enhanced during periods of geomagnetic activity. We present a critique of hypotheses to explain such effects.

Results are presented of measurements of the mean wind and its variances attributed to the intensity of internal gravity waves (IGWs) with the MU radar at Shigaraki, Japan, from 1986 to 1999, with the low-frequency ionospheric drift method Dl at Collm, Germany and with the medium frequency (MF) radar at Saskatoon, Canada, between 1983 and 1999 at altitudes 65–80, 80–110 and 60– 100 km , respectively. The amplitudes of eastward–westward seasonal variations of the mean zonal wind in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are different in different years. The mean wind and IGW intensities show substantial seasonal, quasi-biennial and interannual variations, which may be different at different altitudes. The measurements show differences in the interannual changes, IGW intensities at different locations. Comparison of interannual changes of the wind and drift velocity variances reveal substantial differences between Saskatoon and Collm and Shigaraki. Such differences in seasonal and interannual changes in the wind perturbation variances may be attributed to the changes in the strengths of IGW sources in the atmosphere at different altitudes and locations and with the conditions of wave propagation in the lower, middle and upper atmosphere. Among the possible reasons for these changes could be solar activity, the eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in June 1991 and, probably, interannual changes of the temperature of oceans in tropics (El Nino events) on the circulation of the middle and upper atmosphere.

Winds from MF radar observations (60– 110 km ) at Saskatoon (52°N, 107°W) and London (43°N, 81°W), Canada, are processed to investigate the quasi 16-day (12–20 days) waves. The waves at both sites become prominent from late autumn to early spring (October–April) when the zonal background winds are eastward. Throughout the mesosphere they have amplitudes of 5– 15 m / s , with the zonal component being stronger than the meridional on average. And they exist over a large range of altitudes, generally attenuating with height up to 105 and 95 km for Saskatoon and London, respectively. The summer wave activity, however, is weak and limited to a thin layer around the zonal zero-wind line (around 85 km ); at Saskatoon it is centred near this line but at London it can penetrate 5– 10 km into the westward flow. The local periods at lower altitudes are longer than that at higher ones, and periods at the two locations at the same time are usually not equal. Although in some situations the phases at London lead those at Saskatoon by tens of degrees, the general phase differences do not appear to have a simple pattern. The lack of coherence or correlation between the two locations for the wave amplitudes, heights of occurrence, and even periods are probably due to the longitudinal and latitudinal differences or localized wave activity. The vertical propagation characteristics for the 16-day wave show a standing wave structure from which the vertical wavelength of ∼40– 50 km can be derived. This could be caused by interference of the incident wave from the lower atmosphere with the downward reflected wave from near the mesopause. When combining the zonal and meridional components, they demonstrate a quasi-polarization mode of either linear or elliptical characteristic. The possible reasons for these wave characteristics, such as the effect of the background wind, interaction with the gravity waves, and including dissipation and modulation processes, are discussed.

Long period variations in the mesosphere wind have been observed for some time by ground-based radars. These planetary scale disturbances have reoccurring periods at or near 5–7, 10, and 16 days and at times dominate the wind field at mesospheric heights. Recently, due to the continuous operation of several of the MLT radars and the availability of measurements from the UARS satellite, it has been possible to compare observations during periods of large planetary wave activity. Wind measurements from four MLT radars; the meteor radars at Durham, NH (43°N,71°W) and Sheffield, UK (53°N,2°W) and MF radars at Urbana, IL (40°N,88°W) and Saskatoon, Canada (52°N,107°W) were compared with the HRDI measurements during intervals when 7-d planetary waves were present. Wind data from the HRDI instrument on UARS has been processed to show the latitudinal structure and the seasonal variation of the planetary scale wind variation. The phases and amplitudes of the waves as determined by both the satellite and the radars are in good agreement. The ground-based measurements show large modulation of tides by these long period components, and also show comparable responses of these low frequency components over thousands of kilometers. The satellite and the ground-based results both indicate a preponderance of wave occurrence during the equinoxes and at preferred latitudes.

Observations of mean winds and semidiurnal and diurnal tides in the mesosphere/lower-thermosphere (MLT) region were made during the 3-month Planetary-Scale Mesopause Observing System Summer 1999 campaign. Data from 22 ground-based radars (and from two other instruments with measurements for the same period but in 1998) allow us to investigate the ability of the GSWM-00 to simulate the solar tides in the mesopause region (90-95 km). Here we have found that the GSWM-00 provides an increasingly reasonable estimate of most of the tidal characteristics in the MLT region. However, the representation of the 24 h tide appears superior to that of the 12 h tide. Some of these discrepancies are studied in detail. In particular, the observations reveal significant 12 h tidal amplitudes at high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere summer. There is evidence for relation between the longitudinal variability of the mean zonal wind and the tidal characteristics seen from the radar wind measurements in the summer middle latitudes and a quasi-stationary planetary wave with zonal wave number one.

It has become increasingly clear that Gravity Waves (GW) have an essential and often dominant role in the dynamics of the Middle Atmosphere. This leads to them having strong impacts upon the thermal structure and the distribution of atmospheric constituents. However, the radar observations of GW have been limited in their latitudinal extent during the past decade, and although satellite observations are now significantly contributing, global-seasonal climatologies of important characteristics are still inadequate. With regard to models, the inclusion of GW-drag effects has been problematic. Usually no seasonal or latitudinal variation in the subgrid-scale GW-drag parameterization scheme is included, and varieties of parameterization schemes have been used. Although these often make conflicting assumptions, they generally produce similarly acceptable end-products, e.g. zonal-mean zonal wind fields. In this paper, we report upon the beginnings of a substantial program, using observations from a network of MF radars (North America, Pacific and Europe), and data from the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM). This model allows the tidal and planetary wave fields to be assessed, characteristics and climatologies of which are well known from the MF Radars. Here we focus upon the tides. There are useful similarities in the observed and modeled background wind and wave fields, and strong indications that the two non-orographic GW-drag parameterization schemes (Hines; Medvedev–Klaassen) have significant and differing effects upon the dynamics of the modeled atmosphere. It is shown that this comparison process is valuable in the evaluation, and potentially the optimization, of parameterization schemes.