Upper Air Wind Speeds Calculated from Observations of Natural Infrasound

David Rind Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University

Search for other papers by David Rind in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
William L. Donn Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University and The City College of New York

Search for other papers by William L. Donn in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Ellen Dede Institute of Oceanography, The City College of New York

Search for other papers by Ellen Dede in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Abstract

In a continuing study of the feasibility of using microbarom (natural infrasound) observations to define characteristics of upper air winds, we determined the seasonal mean trace velocity of microbaroms. We show that this is equal to the acoustic velocity at an upper reflection level. This velocity is the sum of the sound speed based on temperature alone and the wind speed. We determine the former from the vertical temperature profile and can thus calculate the wind speed at particular reflection levels in the stratosphere and ionosphere. Our results compare well with direct observations.

Abstract

In a continuing study of the feasibility of using microbarom (natural infrasound) observations to define characteristics of upper air winds, we determined the seasonal mean trace velocity of microbaroms. We show that this is equal to the acoustic velocity at an upper reflection level. This velocity is the sum of the sound speed based on temperature alone and the wind speed. We determine the former from the vertical temperature profile and can thus calculate the wind speed at particular reflection levels in the stratosphere and ionosphere. Our results compare well with direct observations.

Save