The Roles of Equatorial Trapped Waves and Internal Inertia–Gravity Waves in Driving the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation. Part II: Three-Dimensional Distribution of Wave Forcing

Abstract

Three-dimensional wave forcing of simulated quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) is investigated using a high-resolution atmospheric general circulation model with T213L256 resolution (60-km horizontal and 300-m vertical resolution). In both the eastward and westward wind shear phases of the QBO, nearly all Eliassen?Palm flux (EP flux) divergence due to internal inertia?gravity waves (defined as fluctuations with zonal wavenumber ≥12) results from the divergence of the vertical component of the flux. On the other hand, EP flux divergence due to equatorial trapped waves (EQWs) results from both the meridional and vertical components of the flux in regions of strong vertical wind shear. Longitudinal dependence of wave forcing is also investigated by three-dimensional wave activity flux applicable to gravity waves. Near the top of the Walker circulation, strong eastward (westward) wave forcing occurs in the Eastern (Western) Hemisphere due to internal inertia?gravity waves with small horizontal phase speed. In the eastward wind shear zone associated with the QBO, the eastward wave forcing due to internal inertia?gravity waves in the Eastern Hemisphere is much larger than that in the Western Hemisphere, whereas in the westward wind shear zone, westward wave forcing does not vary much in the zonal direction. Zonal variation of wave forcing in the stratosphere results from (i) zonal variation of wave sources, (ii) the vertically sheared zonal winds associated with the Walker circulation, and (iii) the phase of the QBO.