Vertical Displacements Induced by Quasi-Stationary Waves in the Southern Hemisphere Stratosphere during Spring

Abstract

Vertical displacements induced by the quasi-stationary wave with wavenumber 1 (QSW1) in the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere during spring are studied. The displacement exhibits two amplitude maxima located in the upper and lower stratosphere with a phase change of 180° between the two regions. Ozone mixing ratio and temperature wave signatures are explained by the wave-induced displacement in the presence of mean vertical gradients. The QSW1 induces radiative diabatic forcing in the upper stratosphere that results in a cross-isentropic ozone transport. Correlation between vertical displacement at different levels and total ozone indicates that total ozone is directly connected to the displacement in the lower stratosphere. The displacement extends to the tropopause and results in a correlation between total ozone and the tropopause height, but with smaller values. Relative deviation between reconstructed potential vorticity (PV) by using a high-resolution model and PV from observations indicates the existence of a preferred region for wave breaking and high?low-latitude air exchange, in close connection with the upward displacement and the local background flow induced by the QSW1.