Journal Article

FZJ-2026-02075

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Seasonal vertical coupling of gravity waves over the Southern Andes from 3D satellite and high-resolution lidar observations

Dong, W. (Corresponding author) ; Liu, A. Z. ; Hoffmann, L.FZJ* ; Fritts, D. C. ; Yang, F. ; Hu, J.

2026
Frontiers Media Lausanne

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3389/fspas.2026.1729075  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2026-02075

Abstract: In the mesosphere, vertical wind velocities can exceed tens of m/s, driven by gravity wave (GW) processes such as wave breaking and the generation of secondary GWs. These dynamic events play a crucial role in redistributing energy and momentum across atmospheric layers. In this study, we investigate the GW dynamics over the Southern Andes—a prominent hotspot for GW activity—using a combination of satellite and ground-based observations. In particular, we analyze nearly two decades of atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) data, along with approximately 5 years of sodium (Na) lidar observations from the Andes Lidar Observatory (ALO). Our analysis reveals a clear seasonal co-variation between lower-stratospheric GW activity and mesospheric perturbations, with both datasets exhibiting pronounced austral-winter enhancements. The mesospheric Na-lidar variance also exhibits secondary maxima during late summer and spring; a simple vertical-wavenumber spectral analysis indicates that these shoulder enhancements result from modest, broadband increases in short-vertical-wavelength power. This variability is consistent with vertical coupling mediated by seasonally varying background winds and mesospheric wave dissipation.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Jülich Supercomputing Center (JSC)

Research Program(s):

1. 5111 - Domain-Specific Simulation & Data Life Cycle Labs (SDLs) and Research Groups (POF4-511) (POF4-511)
2. SDLCS - Simulation and Data Lab Climate Science (SDLCS) (SDLCS)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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