Articles | Volume 16, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-4593-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-4593-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
13 Apr 2016
Research article |
| 13 Apr 2016
Exploring atmospheric blocking with GPS radio occultation observations
Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change (WEGC),
University of Graz, Graz, Austria
FWF-DK Climate Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Andrea K. Steiner
Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change (WEGC),
University of Graz, Graz, Austria
FWF-DK Climate Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Institute for Geophysics, Astrophysics, and
Meteorology, Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher
Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change (WEGC),
University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Institute for Geophysics, Astrophysics, and
Meteorology, Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Martin W. Jury
Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change (WEGC),
University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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We evaluate the representation of tropical convection regimes in atmospheric climate models with satellite-based observations from GPS radio occultation. We find that models have large temperature biases in the tropopause region. In moist convection regions, models underestimate moisture up to 40 % over oceans whereas in dry regions they overestimate it by 100 %. Our findings show that RO observations are a valuable data source for the evaluation and development of next generation climate models.
Hallgeir Wilhelmsen, Florian Ladstädter, Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher, and Andrea K. Steiner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 1333–1346, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1333-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1333-2018, 2018
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Tropical atmospheric variability is often described using proxy indices of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. We introduce new proxies derived from GNSS radio occultation (RO) satellite measurements. Using the high vertical resolution of the RO temperature fields we obtain altitude-resolved indices which can improve the description of atmospheric variability patterns and can be used in climate studies where a detailed knowledge of these patterns is required.
Petr Pisoft, Petr Sacha, Jiri Miksovsky, Peter Huszar, Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher, and Ulrich Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 515–527, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-515-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-515-2018, 2018
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We revise selected findings regarding utilization of Global Positioning System radio occultation density profiles for analysis of internal gravity waves. The results show that previously published results are valid only for one specific data version only. Using radiosonde profiles, we also analyze a nonhydrostatic component in temperature profiles. The last part presents detailed study on the utilization of density profiles for characterization of the wave field stability.
Barbara Angerer, Florian Ladstädter, Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher, Marc Schwärz, Andrea K. Steiner, Ulrich Foelsche, and Gottfried Kirchengast
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4845–4863, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4845-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4845-2017, 2017
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We present a detailed analysis of the latest Wegener Center GPS radio occultation reprocessing (OPSv5.6) output. Knowledge of differences in data quality, as well as of data consistency, is essential when combining data from different missions to a long-term climate record. We compare quality aspects of the various processed satellite missions and present satellite-dependent variations. Temperature data from various satellites are found to be highly consistent within 8 to 25 km.
Lukas Brunner and Andrea K. Steiner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 4727–4745, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4727-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-4727-2017, 2017
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Atmospheric blocking is a weather pattern where a stable high pressure system blocks the westerly flow at mid-latitudes. We provide, for the first time, a global perspective on blocking and related impacts, based on satellite observations from GPS radio occultation for 2006–2016. We find strong direct and remote effects on the vertical atmospheric structure revealing significant temperature and humidity anomalies up to 15 km. The observations will help for a better insight into blocking impacts.
Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher, William J. Randel, and Joowan Kim
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 793–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-793-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-793-2017, 2017
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Tropical temperature variability and associated Kelvin-wave activity are investigated from 10 km to 30 km using 13 years of high-resolution observational data. Strongest temperature variability is found in the tropical tropopause region between about 16 km and 20 km, where peaks of Kelvin-wave activity are irregularly distributed in time. Detailed knowledge of dynamical processes in the tropical tropopause region is an essential part of better understanding climate variability and change.
Riccardo Biondi, Andrea Steiner, Gottfried Kirchengast, Hugues Brenot, and Therese Rieckh
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2015-974, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2015-974, 2016
Revised manuscript not accepted
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Cloud structure and cloud top height are key parameters for the monitoring of volcanic cloud movement and for characterizing eruptive processes and understanding the impact on short-term climate variability.
We have studied the eruption of Nabro volcano, which has been recognized as the largest stratospheric sulfur injection since Pinatubo (1991) and we have found a clear warming signature after the eruption of Nabro persisting for a few months.
Y. Li, G. Kirchengast, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, R. Norman, Y. B. Yuan, J. Fritzer, M. Schwaerz, and K. Zhang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 3447–3465, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-3447-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-3447-2015, 2015
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We introduce a new dynamic statistical optimization algorithm to initialize ionosphere-corrected bending angles of Global Navigation Satellite System-based radio occultation measurements. The new algorithm is evaluated against the OPSv5.6 algorithm developed by the Wegener Center using both simulated and real observed data. It is found that the algorithm can significantly reduce the random errors of optimized bending angles. The retrieved refractivity and temperature profiles are also benefited.
R. Biondi, A. K. Steiner, G. Kirchengast, and T. Rieckh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5181–5193, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5181-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5181-2015, 2015
F. Ladstädter, A. K. Steiner, M. Schwärz, and G. Kirchengast
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 1819–1834, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-1819-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-1819-2015, 2015
B. Scherllin-Pirscher, S. Syndergaard, U. Foelsche, and K. B. Lauritsen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 109–124, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-109-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-109-2015, 2015
T. Rieckh, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, F. Ladstädter, and U. Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 3947–3958, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3947-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3947-2014, 2014
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Radio Occultation (RO) observations featuring high vertical resolution, global availability, and high accuracy were used to investigate global characteristics of the lapse rate tropopause. Climatological tropopause characteristics for the
RO record from 2001 to 2013 extend previous studies on tropopause structure and its temporal variability. Latitudinal and longitudinal variations as well as the annual cycle and inter-annual variability were analyzed for the tropopause altitude and temperature.
J. Danzer, U. Foelsche, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, and M. Schwärz
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 2883–2896, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-2883-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-2883-2014, 2014
J. Danzer, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, and U. Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 2169–2179, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2169-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-2169-2013, 2013
A. K. Steiner, D. Hunt, S.-P. Ho, G. Kirchengast, A. J. Mannucci, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, H. Gleisner, A. von Engeln, T. Schmidt, C. Ao, S. S. Leroy, E. R. Kursinski, U. Foelsche, M. Gorbunov, S. Heise, Y.-H. Kuo, K. B. Lauritsen, C. Marquardt, C. Rocken, W. Schreiner, S. Sokolovskiy, S. Syndergaard, and J. Wickert
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 1469–1484, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-1469-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-1469-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Dynamics | Research Activity: Remote Sensing | Altitude Range: Troposphere | Science Focus: Physics (physical properties and processes)
Turbulent energy budget analysis based on coherent wind lidar observations
The Paris low-level jet during PANAME 2022 and its impact on the summertime urban heat island
An air quality and boundary layer dynamics analysis of the Los Angeles basin area during the Southwest Urban NOx and VOCs Experiment (SUNVEx)
Equatorial waves resolved by balloon-borne Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation in the Strateole-2 campaign
Wind lidars reveal turbulence transport mechanism in the wake of a tree
On the role of aerosol radiative effect in the wet season onset timing over the Congo rainforest during boreal autumn
Study of the seasonal variation in Aeolus wind product performance over China using ERA5 and radiosonde data
Measurement report: characteristics of clear-day convective boundary layer and associated entrainment zone as observed by a ground-based polarization lidar over Wuhan (30.5° N, 114.4° E)
Technical note: First comparison of wind observations from ESA's satellite mission Aeolus and ground-based radar wind profiler network of China
Assessment of vertical air motion among reanalyses and qualitative comparison with very-high-frequency radar measurements over two tropical stations
Asian summer monsoon anticyclone: trends and variability
Very high stratospheric influence observed in the free troposphere over the northern Alps – just a local phenomenon?
Long-lived high-frequency gravity waves in the atmospheric boundary layer: observations and simulations
Variability of temperature and ozone in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere from multi-satellite observations and reanalysis data
Indications for a potential synchronization between the phase evolution of the Madden–Julian oscillation and the solar 27-day cycle
Mesoscale fine structure of a tropopause fold over mountains
Tropical convection regimes in climate models: evaluation with satellite observations
Wave modulation of the extratropical tropopause inversion layer
Planetary boundary layer height from CALIOP compared to radiosonde over China
Upper tropospheric water vapour variability at high latitudes – Part 1: Influence of the annular modes
Mixing layer height and its implications for air pollution over Beijing, China
Effect of tropical cyclones on the tropical tropopause parameters observed using COSMIC GPS RO data
New fire diurnal cycle characterizations to improve fire radiative energy assessments made from MODIS observations
Tropospheric ozone variability in the tropics from ENSO to MJO and shorter timescales
A comprehensive investigation on afternoon transition of the atmospheric boundary layer over a tropical rural site
Characterization of thermal structure and conditions for overshooting of tropical and extratropical cyclones with GPS radio occultation
Spatiotemporal variability of water vapor investigated using lidar and FTIR vertical soundings above the Zugspitze
Temperature profiling of the atmospheric boundary layer with rotational Raman lidar during the HD(CP)2 Observational Prototype Experiment
Determination and climatology of the planetary boundary layer height above the Swiss plateau by in situ and remote sensing measurements as well as by the COSMO-2 model
Comparison of the diurnal variations of warm-season precipitation for East Asia vs. North America downstream of the Tibetan Plateau vs. the Rocky Mountains
How stratospheric are deep stratospheric intrusions?
Impact of tropical land convection on the water vapour budget in the tropical tropopause layer
The thermodynamic state of the Arctic atmosphere observed by AIRS: comparisons during the record minimum sea ice extents of 2007 and 2012
High resolution VHF radar measurements of tropopause structure and variability at Davis, Antarctica (69° S, 78° E)
Measurements of the movement of the jet streams at mid-latitudes, in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, 1979 to 2010
Continuous detection and characterization of the Sea Breeze in clear sky conditions using Meteosat Second Generation
Thermal structure of intense convective clouds derived from GPS radio occultations
Advances and limitations of atmospheric boundary layer observations with GPS occultation over southeast Pacific Ocean
Teleconnection between Australian winter temperature and Indian summer monsoon rainfall
First results from the GPS atmosphere sounding experiment TOR aboard the TerraSAR-X satellite
Updraft and downdraft characterization with Doppler lidar: cloud-free versus cumuli-topped mixed layer
Remote sensing of the tropical rain forest boundary layer using pulsed Doppler lidar
A new ENSO index derived from satellite measurements of column ozone
Turbulence associated with mountain waves over Northern Scandinavia – a case study using the ESRAD VHF radar and the WRF mesoscale model
Jinhong Xian, Zongxu Qiu, Hongyan Luo, Yuanyuan Hu, Xiaoling Lin, Chao Lu, Yan Yang, Honglong Yang, and Ning Zhang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 441–457, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-441-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-441-2025, 2025
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The existing methods for observing turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget terms can only rely on ground-based towers. We have developed a new detection method that can directly observe and analyze the generation and dissipation mechanisms of turbulent energy at different heights in the vertical direction of the boundary layer. This research result will extend our study of TKE budget terms from near the ground to high altitude, providing a higher and more detailed perspective.
Jonnathan Céspedes, Simone Kotthaus, Jana Preissler, Clément Toupoint, Ludovic Thobois, Marc-Antoine Drouin, Jean-Charles Dupont, Aurélien Faucheux, and Martial Haeffelin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 11477–11496, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-11477-2024, 2024
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The low-level jet (LLJ) is common in Paris during summer. The LLJ core height and speed significantly influence vertical mixing in the urban boundary layer, which affects air temperature variations between the urban canopy layer and surrounding rural areas, determining the urban heat island (UHI) intensity. This study highlights the importance of wind profile observations for understanding urban boundary layer dynamics and near-surface atmospheric conditions relevant to health.
Edward J. Strobach, Sunil Baidar, Brian J. Carroll, Steven S. Brown, Kristen Zuraski, Matthew Coggon, Chelsea E. Stockwell, Lu Xu, Yelena L. Pichugina, W. Alan Brewer, Carsten Warneke, Jeff Peischl, Jessica Gilman, Brandi McCarty, Maxwell Holloway, and Richard Marchbanks
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9277–9307, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9277-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9277-2024, 2024
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Large-scale weather patterns are isolated from local patterns to study the impact that different weather scales have on air quality measurements. While impacts from large-scale meteorology were evaluated by separating ozone (O3) exceedance (>70 ppb) and non-exceedance (<70 ppb) days, we developed a technique that allows direct comparisons of small temporal variations between chemical and dynamics measurements under rapid dynamical transitions.
Bing Cao, Jennifer S. Haase, Michael J. Murphy, M. Joan Alexander, Martina Bramberger, and Albert Hertzog
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 15379–15402, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15379-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-15379-2022, 2022
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Atmospheric waves that carry momentum from tropospheric weather systems into the equatorial stratosphere modify the winds there. The Strateole-2 2019 campaign launched long-duration stratospheric superpressure balloons to measure these equatorial waves. We deployed a GPS receiver on one of the balloons to measure atmospheric temperature profiles beneath the balloon. Temperature variations in the retrieved profiles show planetary-scale waves with a 20 d period and 3–4 d period waves.
Nikolas Angelou, Jakob Mann, and Ebba Dellwik
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2255–2268, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2255-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2255-2022, 2022
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In this study we use state-of-the-art scanning wind lidars to investigate the wind field in the near-wake region of a mature, open-grown tree. Our measurements provide for the first time a picture of the mean and the turbulent spatial fluctuations in the flow in the wake of a tree in its natural environment. Our observations support the hypothesis that even simple models can realistically simulate the turbulent fluctuations in the wake and thus predict the effect of trees in flow models.
Sudip Chakraborty, Jonathon H. Jiang, Hui Su, and Rong Fu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 12855–12866, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-12855-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-12855-2021, 2021
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Boreal autumn is the main wet season over the Congo basin. Thus, changes in its onset date have a significant impact on the rainforest. This study provides compelling evidence that the cooling effect of aerosols modifies the timing and strength of the southern African easterly jet that is central to the boreal autumn wet season over the Congo rainforest. A higher boreal summer aerosol concentration is positively correlated with the boreal autumn wet season onset timing.
Siying Chen, Rongzheng Cao, Yixuan Xie, Yinchao Zhang, Wangshu Tan, He Chen, Pan Guo, and Peitao Zhao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11489–11504, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11489-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11489-2021, 2021
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In this study, the seasonal variation in Aeolus wind product performance over China is analyzed by using L-band radiosonde detection data and ERA5 reanalysis data. The results show that the Aeolus wind product performance is affected by seasonal factors, which may be caused by seasonal changes in wind direction and cloud distribution.
Fuchao Liu, Fan Yi, Zhenping Yin, Yunpeng Zhang, Yun He, and Yang Yi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2981–2998, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2981-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2981-2021, 2021
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Using high-resolution lidar measurements, this process-based study reveals that the clear-day convective boundary layer evolves in four distinct stages differing in depth growth rate and depth fluctuation magnitudes. The accompanying entrainment zone thickness (EZT) shows a discrepancy in statistical mean and standard deviation for different seasons and developing stages. Common EZT characteristics also exist. These findings help us understand the atmospheric boundary layer evolution.
Jianping Guo, Boming Liu, Wei Gong, Lijuan Shi, Yong Zhang, Yingying Ma, Jian Zhang, Tianmeng Chen, Kaixu Bai, Ad Stoffelen, Gerrit de Leeuw, and Xiaofeng Xu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2945–2958, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2945-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2945-2021, 2021
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Vertical wind profiles are crucial to a wide range of atmospheric disciplines. Aeolus is the first satellite mission to directly observe wind profile information on a global scale. However, Aeolus wind products over China have thus far not been evaluated by in situ comparison. This work is expected to let the public and science community better know the Aeolus wind products and to encourage use of these valuable data in future research and applications.
Kizhathur Narasimhan Uma, Siddarth Shankar Das, Madineni Venkat Ratnam, and Kuniyil Viswanathan Suneeth
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 2083–2103, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2083-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-2083-2021, 2021
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Reanalysis data of vertical wind (w) are widely used by the atmospheric community to determine various calculations of atmospheric circulations, diabatic heating, convection, etc. There are no studies that assess the available reanalysis data with respect to observations. The present study assesses for the first time all the reanalysis w by comparing it with 20 years of radar data from Gadanki and Kototabang and shows that downdrafts and peaks in the updrafts are not produced in the reanalyses.
Ghouse Basha, M. Venkat Ratnam, and Pangaluru Kishore
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6789–6801, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6789-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6789-2020, 2020
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This study explores the variability of the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone (ASMA) spatial variability and trends using long-term observational and reanalysis data sets. The decadal variability of the anticyclone is very large at the edges compared with the core region. We propose that the transport process over the Tibetan Plateau and the Indian region is significant in active monsoon, strong monsoon and strong La Niña years. Thus, different phases of the monsoon are important in UTLS analyses.
Thomas Trickl, Hannes Vogelmann, Ludwig Ries, and Michael Sprenger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 243–266, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-243-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-243-2020, 2020
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Ozone transfer from the stratosphere to the troposphere seems to to have grown over the past decade, parallel to global warming. Lidar measurements, carried out in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, between 2007 and 2016 show a considerable stratospheric influence in the free troposphere over these sites, with observations of stratospheric layers in the troposphere on 84 % of the measurement days. This high fraction is almost reached also in North America, but frequently not throughout the year.
Mingjiao Jia, Jinlong Yuan, Chong Wang, Haiyun Xia, Yunbin Wu, Lijie Zhao, Tianwen Wei, Jianfei Wu, Lu Wang, Sheng-Yang Gu, Liqun Liu, Dachun Lu, Rulong Chen, Xianghui Xue, and Xiankang Dou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 15431–15446, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-15431-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-15431-2019, 2019
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Gravitational waves (GWs) with periods ranging from 10 to 30 min over 10 h and 20 wave cycles are detected within a 2 km height in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) by a coherent Doppler wind lidar. Observations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations lead to a conclusion that the GWs are excited by the wind shear of a low-level jet under the condition of light horizontal wind. The GWs are trapped in the ABL due to a combination of thermal and Doppler ducts.
Ming Shangguan, Wuke Wang, and Shuanggen Jin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 6659–6679, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6659-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6659-2019, 2019
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A significant warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere are found in satellite measurements (2002–2017). The newest ERA5 data are first used for analyzing temperature and ozone trends in the UTLS and show the best quality compared to other reanalyses. According to model simulations, the temperature increase in the troposphere and ozone decrease in the NH stratosphere are mainly connected to a surface warming of the ocean and subsequent changes in atmospheric circulation.
Christoph G. Hoffmann and Christian von Savigny
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 4235–4256, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4235-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-4235-2019, 2019
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We examine a possible statistical linkage between atmospheric variability in the tropical troposphere on the intraseasonal timescale, which is known as Madden–Julian oscillation, and known variability of the solar radiation with a period of 27 days. This helps to understand tropospheric variability in more detail, which is generally of interest, e.g., for weather forecasting. We find indications for such a linkage; however, more research has to be conducted for an unambiguous attribution.
Wolfgang Woiwode, Andreas Dörnbrack, Martina Bramberger, Felix Friedl-Vallon, Florian Haenel, Michael Höpfner, Sören Johansson, Erik Kretschmer, Isabell Krisch, Thomas Latzko, Hermann Oelhaf, Johannes Orphal, Peter Preusse, Björn-Martin Sinnhuber, and Jörn Ungermann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 15643–15667, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15643-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-15643-2018, 2018
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GLORIA observations during two crossings of the polar front jet stream resolve the fine mesoscale structure of a tropopause fold in high detail. Tracer–tracer correlations of H2O and O3 are presented as a function of potential temperature and reveal an active mixing region. Our study confirms conceptual models of tropopause folds, validates the high quality of ECMWF IFS forecasts, and suggests that mountain waves are capable of modulating exchange processes in the vicinity of tropopause folds.
Andrea K. Steiner, Bettina C. Lackner, and Mark A. Ringer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 4657–4672, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4657-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-4657-2018, 2018
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We evaluate the representation of tropical convection regimes in atmospheric climate models with satellite-based observations from GPS radio occultation. We find that models have large temperature biases in the tropopause region. In moist convection regions, models underestimate moisture up to 40 % over oceans whereas in dry regions they overestimate it by 100 %. Our findings show that RO observations are a valuable data source for the evaluation and development of next generation climate models.
Robin Pilch Kedzierski, Katja Matthes, and Karl Bumke
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 4093–4114, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4093-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-4093-2017, 2017
Wanchun Zhang, Jianping Guo, Yucong Miao, Huan Liu, Yong Zhang, Zhengqiang Li, and Panmao Zhai
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 9951–9963, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9951-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-9951-2016, 2016
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The PBL height retrieval from CALIOP aboard CALIPSO can significantly complement the traditional ground-based methods, which is only for one site. Our study, to our current knowledge, is the first intercomparison study of PBLH on a large scale using long-term radiosonde observations in China. Three matchup schemes were proposed based on the position of radiosondes relative to CALIPSO ground tracks in China. Results indicate that CALIOP is promising for reliable PBLH retrievals.
Christopher E. Sioris, Jason Zou, David A. Plummer, Chris D. Boone, C. Thomas McElroy, Patrick E. Sheese, Omid Moeini, and Peter F. Bernath
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 3265–3278, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-3265-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-3265-2016, 2016
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The AM (annular mode) is the most important internal mode of climatic variability at high latitudes. Upper tropospheric water vapour (UTWV) at high latitudes increases by up to ~ 50 % during the negative phase of the AMs. The response of water vapour to the AMs vanishes above the tropopause. The ultimate goal of the study was to improve UTWV trend uncertainties by explaining shorter-term variability, and this was achieved by accounting for the AM-related response in a multiple linear regression.
Guiqian Tang, Jinqiang Zhang, Xiaowan Zhu, Tao Song, Christoph Münkel, Bo Hu, Klaus Schäfer, Zirui Liu, Junke Zhang, Lili Wang, Jinyuan Xin, Peter Suppan, and Yuesi Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 2459–2475, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2459-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-2459-2016, 2016
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This is the first paper to validate and characterize mixing layer height and discuss its relationship with air pollution, using a ceilometer in Beijing. The novelty, originality, and importance of this paper are as follows: (1) the applicable conditions of the ceilometer; (2) the variations of mixing layer height; (3) thermal/dynamic structure inside mixing layers with different degrees of pollution; and (4) critical meteorological conditions for the formation of heavy air pollution.
S. Ravindra Babu, M. Venkat Ratnam, G. Basha, B. V. Krishnamurthy, and B. Venkateswararao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 10239–10249, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10239-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-10239-2015, 2015
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The effect of tropical cyclones (TCs) that occurred over the north Indian Ocean in the last decade on the tropical tropopause parameters has been quantified for the first time. The vertical structure of temperature and tropopause parameters within the 5º radius away from the cyclone centre during TC period is also presented. The water vapour variability in the vicinity of TC is investigated.
It is demonstrated that the TCs can significantly affect the tropical tropopause and thus STE processes.
N. Andela, J. W. Kaiser, G. R. van der Werf, and M. J. Wooster
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 8831–8846, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8831-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8831-2015, 2015
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The polar orbiting MODIS instruments provide four daily observations of the fire diurnal cycle, resulting in erroneous fire radiative energy (FRE) estimates. Using geostationary SEVIRI data, we explore the fire diurnal cycle and its drivers for Africa to develop a new method to estimate global FRE in near real-time using MODIS. The fire diurnal cycle varied with climate and vegetation type, and including information on the fire diurnal cycle in the model significantly improved the FRE estimates.
J. R. Ziemke, A. R. Douglass, L. D. Oman, S. E. Strahan, and B. N. Duncan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 8037–8049, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8037-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-8037-2015, 2015
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Aura OMI and MLS measurements are combined to produce daily maps of tropospheric ozone beginning October 2004. We show that El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) related inter-annual change in tropospheric ozone in the tropics is small compared to combined intra-seasonal/Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and shorter timescale variability. Outgoing Longwave Radiation indicates that deep convection is the primary driver of the observed ozone variability on all timescales.
A. Sandeep, T. N. Rao, and S. V. B. Rao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 7605–7617, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7605-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7605-2015, 2015
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The afternoon-evening transition (AET) in the atmospheric boundary layer has been studied in an integrated approach using 3 years of tower, sodar and wind profiler measurements. Such a long-term data set has been used for the first time to understand the behavior of AET. It allowed us to study the seasonal variation. In contrast to the common belief that the transition evolves from bottom to top, the present study clearly showed that the start time of transition follows top-to-bottom evolution.
R. Biondi, A. K. Steiner, G. Kirchengast, and T. Rieckh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 5181–5193, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5181-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-5181-2015, 2015
H. Vogelmann, R. Sussmann, T. Trickl, and A. Reichert
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 3135–3148, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3135-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-3135-2015, 2015
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We quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal variability (minutes to hours, 500m to 10km) of water vapor (IWV and profiles) in the free troposphere recorded at the Zugspitze (Germany) with lidar and solar FTIR. We found that long-range transport of heterogeneous air masses may cause relative short-term variations of the water-vapor density which exceed the impact of local convection by 1 order of magnitude. Our results could be useful for issues of model parametrization and co-location.
E. Hammann, A. Behrendt, F. Le Mounier, and V. Wulfmeyer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 2867–2881, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2867-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2867-2015, 2015
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Measurements and upgrades of the rotational Raman lidar of the University of Hohenheim during the HD(CP)2 Observational Prototype Experiment are presented in this paper. This includes 25h long time series of temperature gradients and water vapor mixing ratio. Through simulation, optimum wavelengths for high- and low-background cases were identified and tested successfully. Low-elevation measurements were performed to measure temperature gradients at altitudes around 100m above ground level.
M. Collaud Coen, C. Praz, A. Haefele, D. Ruffieux, P. Kaufmann, and B. Calpini
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 13205–13221, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13205-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-13205-2014, 2014
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An operational planetary boundary layer height detection method with several remote sensing instruments (wind profiler, Raman lidar, microwave radiometer) and algorithms (Parcel and bulk Richardson number methods, surface-based temperature inversion, aerosol and humidity gradient analysis) was validated against radio sounding. A comparison with the numerical weather prediction model COSMO-2 and the seasonal cycles of the day- and nighttime PBL for two stations on the Swiss plateau are presented.
Yuanchun Zhang, Fuqing Zhang, and Jianhua Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 10741–10759, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-10741-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-10741-2014, 2014
T. Trickl, H. Vogelmann, H. Giehl, H.-E. Scheel, M. Sprenger, and A. Stohl
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 9941–9961, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9941-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9941-2014, 2014
F. Carminati, P. Ricaud, J.-P. Pommereau, E. Rivière, S. Khaykin, J.-L. Attié, and J. Warner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 6195–6211, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6195-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-6195-2014, 2014
A. Devasthale, J. Sedlar, T. Koenigk, and E. J. Fetzer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 7441–7450, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-7441-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-7441-2013, 2013
S. P. Alexander, D. J. Murphy, and A. R. Klekociuk
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 13, 3121–3132, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-3121-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-3121-2013, 2013
R. D. Hudson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 7797–7808, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-7797-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-7797-2012, 2012
I. M. Lensky and U. Dayan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 6505–6513, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6505-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6505-2012, 2012
R. Biondi, W. J. Randel, S.-P. Ho, T. Neubert, and S. Syndergaard
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 5309–5318, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5309-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-5309-2012, 2012
F. Xie, D. L. Wu, C. O. Ao, A. J. Mannucci, and E. R. Kursinski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 903–918, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-903-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-903-2012, 2012
S.-Y. Lee and T. Y. Koh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 669–681, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-669-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-669-2012, 2012
G. Beyerle, L. Grunwaldt, S. Heise, W. Köhler, R. König, G. Michalak, M. Rothacher, T. Schmidt, J. Wickert, B. D. Tapley, and B. Giesinger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 11, 6687–6699, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6687-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-6687-2011, 2011
A. Ansmann, J. Fruntke, and R. Engelmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 7845–7858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-7845-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-7845-2010, 2010
G. Pearson, F. Davies, and C. Collier
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 5891–5901, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-5891-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-5891-2010, 2010
J. R. Ziemke, S. Chandra, L. D. Oman, and P. K. Bhartia
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 3711–3721, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-3711-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-3711-2010, 2010
S. Kirkwood, M. Mihalikova, T. N. Rao, and K. Satheesan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 3583–3599, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-3583-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-3583-2010, 2010
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Short summary
Atmospheric blocking refers to persistent high-pressure systems which block the climatological flow at midlatitudes. We explore blocking with observations from GPS radio occultation (RO), a satellite-based remote-sensing system. Using two example cases, we find that RO data robustly capture blocking, highlighting the potential of RO observations to complement models and reanalysis as a basis for blocking research.
Atmospheric blocking refers to persistent high-pressure systems which block the climatological...
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