Sudden stratospheric warmings: the role of normal atmospheric modes

Abstract

The role of normal atmospheric modes in the beginning and development of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events is studied on the basis of calculations with the use of the general circulation model of the middle and upper atmosphere. The analysis of the effect of a phase of quasi-biennial oscillations on the dynamics of the extratropical stratosphere has shown that the conditions for SSW commencement are more favorable and the SSW events are more intense during the easterly phase of these oscillations as compared to the westerly phase. The conclusion has been drawn that fundamental normal atmospheric modes can be recorded in the temperature field at mesopause altitudes during ground-based optical measurements.