Gravity waves generated by convection during TWP‐ICE: I. Inertia‐gravity waves

Abstract

Abstract Gravity waves are analyzed in radiosonde soundings taken during the Tropical Warm Pool‐International Cloud Experiment (TWP‐ICE) campaign. The properties of the inertia‐gravity waves are analyzed in Part I, whereas Part II focuses on high‐frequency gravity waves. Two groups of inertia‐gravity waves are detected: group L (Long vertical wavelength) in the middle stratosphere during the suppressed monsoon period and group S (Short vertical wavelength) in the lower stratosphere during the monsoon break period. Waves belonging to group L propagate to the southeast with a mean intrinsic period of 35 h and have vertical and horizontal wavelengths of about 5–6 km and 3000–6000 km, respectively. Ray‐tracing calculations indicate that these waves originate from a deep convective region near Indonesia. Waves belonging to group S propagate to the south‐southeast with an intrinsic period, vertical wavelength, and horizontal wavelength of about 45 h, 2 km, and 2000–4000 km, respectively. These waves appear to originate from convection in the vicinity of New Guinea.