Evidence for long-lived polar vortex air in the mid-latitude summer stratosphere from in situ laser diode CH 4 and H 2 O measurements
International audience A balloon borne diode laser spectrometer was launched in southern France in June 2000 to yield in situ stratospheric CH 4 and H 2 O measurements. In the altitude region ranging from 20 km to 25 km, striking large spatial structures were observed in the vertical concentration p...
Main Authors: | , |
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Other Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
HAL CCSD
2005
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hal.science/hal-00327831 https://hal.science/hal-00327831/document https://hal.science/hal-00327831/file/acpd-5-1241-2005.pdf |
Summary: | International audience A balloon borne diode laser spectrometer was launched in southern France in June 2000 to yield in situ stratospheric CH 4 and H 2 O measurements. In the altitude region ranging from 20 km to 25 km, striking large spatial structures were observed in the vertical concentration profiles of both species. We suggest these patterns are due to the presence of long-lived remnants of the wintertime polar vortex in the mid-latitude summer stratosphere. To support this interpretation, a high resolution advection model for potential vorticity is used to investigate the evolution of the Arctic vortex after its breakdown phase in spring 2000. |
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