Evidence for vertical motions in the equatorial middle atmosphere

Abstract The Diurnal Experiment, which took place in March 1974, offers a unique data set for use in studying vertical velocities in the equatorial stratosphere and mesosphere. Application of the standard thermodynamic vertical velocity equation along with a generalized thermal wind relation reveals magnitudes of vertical velocities ranging from 1–2 cm s−1 in the lower stratosphere to 10–15 cm s−1 in the lower mesosphere. Diurnal and semidiurnal tidal modes are quite apparent and, in agreement with tidal theory, the amplitudes of the oscillations increase with height. Inspection of time cross sections and use of Fourier analysis indicates vertical wavelengths on the order of 8-16 km. These results suggest that modification of temperature and wind profiles in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere on an hourly basis can be quite significant. The analysis also suggests the presence of unresolved vertical winds on both longer and shorter time scales than the principal tidal components.