Abstract
The results of radiowave partial reflection wind (drift) observations, 62–116 km, for the years 1969–73, at 52°N, 107°W (Saskatoon), are presented, and are compared with current empirical models. Agreement is satisfactory to 85 km; but at higher altitudes, differences exist; notably an annual variation of zonal flow above 100 km, whose direction is eastward in summer and westward in winter. The semi-annual variation of winds is shown to be limited to 85–100 km, and is considered to be due to two out-of-phase annual variations identifiable at higher and lower altitudes. A region of positive (poleward) temperature gradient (high-latitude warming) is identified in the range ∼80 to at least 107 km in winter, and another region (∼75 to ≳107 km) of negative temperature gradient is identified in summer. The relationships of these regions to circulation characteristics are discussed.
