Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Tropopause Structure and the Role of Eddies

Jacob Haqq-Misra The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Search for other papers by Jacob Haqq-Misra in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Sukyoung Lee The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Search for other papers by Sukyoung Lee in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Dargan M. W. Frierson University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

Search for other papers by Dargan M. W. Frierson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Dec 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-11-087.1
Page(s):
2930–2944
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper presents a series of dynamical states using an idealized three-dimensional general circulation model with gray radiation and latent heat release. Beginning with the case of radiative–convective equilibrium, an eddy-free two-dimensional state with zonally symmetric flow is developed, followed by a three-dimensional state that includes baroclinic eddy fluxes. In both dry and moist cases, it is found that the deepening of the tropical tropospheric layer and the shape of the extratropical tropopause can be understood through eddy-driven processes such as the stratospheric Brewer–Dobson circulation. These results suggest that eddies alone can generate a realistic tropopause profile in the absence of moist convection and that stratospheric circulation is an important contributor to tropopause structure.

Corresponding author address: Jacob Haqq-Misra, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802. E-mail: haqqmisra@psu.edu

Abstract

This paper presents a series of dynamical states using an idealized three-dimensional general circulation model with gray radiation and latent heat release. Beginning with the case of radiative–convective equilibrium, an eddy-free two-dimensional state with zonally symmetric flow is developed, followed by a three-dimensional state that includes baroclinic eddy fluxes. In both dry and moist cases, it is found that the deepening of the tropical tropospheric layer and the shape of the extratropical tropopause can be understood through eddy-driven processes such as the stratospheric Brewer–Dobson circulation. These results suggest that eddies alone can generate a realistic tropopause profile in the absence of moist convection and that stratospheric circulation is an important contributor to tropopause structure.

Corresponding author address: Jacob Haqq-Misra, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802. E-mail: haqqmisra@psu.edu
Save
Cover Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences

  • Ambaum, M., 1997: Isentropic formation of the tropopause. J. Atmos. Sci., 54, 555–568.

  • Anderson, J. L., and Coauthors, 2004: The new GFDL global atmosphere and land model AM2-LM2: Evaluation with prescribed SST simulations. J. Climate, 17, 4641–4673.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Andrews, D. G., and M. E. McIntyre, 1976: Planetary waves in horizontal and vertical shear: The generalized Eliassen–Palm relation and the mean zonal acceleration. J. Atmos. Sci., 33, 2031–2048.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Austin, J., and F. Li, 2006: On the relationship between the strength of the Brewer–Dobson circulation and the age of stratospheric air. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L17807, doi:10.1029/2006GL026867.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barry, L., G. C. Craig, and J. Thuburn, 2000: A GCM investigation into the nature of baroclinic adjustment. J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 1141–1155.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Betts, A. K., 1986: A new convective adjustment scheme. Part I: Observational and theoretical basis. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 112, 677–691.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Birner, T., 2010: Residual circulation and tropopause structure. J. Atmos. Sci., 67, 2582–2600.

  • Birner, T., A. Dörnbrack, and U. Schumann, 2002: How sharp is the tropopause at midlatitudes? Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 1700, doi:10.1029/2002GL015142.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bordi, I., A. Dell’Aquila, A. Speranza, and A. Sutera, 2002: Formula for a baroclinic adjustment theory of climate. Tellus, 54, 260–272.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Brewer, A. W., 1949: Evidence for a world circulation provided by the measurements of helium and water vapour distribution in the stratosphere. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 75, 351–363.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Callaghan, P. F., and M. L. Salby, 2002: Three-dimensionality and forcing of the Brewer–Dobson circulation. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 976–991.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dell’Aquila, A., P. M. Ruti, and A. Sutera, 2007: Effects of the baroclinic adjustment on the tropopause in the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis. Climate Dyn., 28, 325–332.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Edmon, H. J., B. J. Hoskins, and M. E. McIntyre, 1980: Eliassen–Palm cross sections for the troposphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 37, 2600–2616.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Egger, J., 1995: Tropopause height in baroclinic channel flow. J. Atmos. Sci., 52, 2232–2241.

  • Eliassen, A., and E. Palm, 1961: On the transfer of energy in stationary mountain waves. Geofys. Publ., 22, 1–23.

  • Emanuel, K., 1994: Atmospheric Convection. Oxford University Press, 580 pp.

  • Frierson, D. M. W., 2007: The dynamics of idealized convection schemes and their effect on the zonally averaged tropical circulation. J. Atmos. Sci., 64, 1959–1976.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Frierson, D. M. W., I. M. Held, and P. Zurita-Gotor, 2006: A gray-radiation aquaplanet moist GCM. Part I: Static stability and eddy scale. J. Atmos. Sci., 63, 2548–2566.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Frierson, D. M. W., I. M. Held, and P. Zurita-Gotor, 2007: A gray-radiation aquaplanet moist GCM. Part II: Energy transports in altered climates. J. Atmos. Sci., 64, 1680–1693.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gabriel, A., G. Schmitz, and R. Geprägs, 1999: The tropopause in a 2D circulation model. J. Atmos. Sci., 56, 4059–4068.

  • Gordon, C. T., and W. F. Stern, 1982: A description of the GFDL global spectral model. Mon. Wea. Rev., 110, 625–644.

  • Gutowski, W. J., 1985: A simple model for the interaction between vertical eddy heat fluxes and static stability. J. Atmos. Sci., 42, 346–358.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gutowski, W. J., L. E. Branscome, and D. A. Stewart, 1992: Life cycles of moist baroclinic eddies. J. Atmos. Sci., 49, 306–319.

  • Haqq-Misra, J., 2010: A dynamical hierarchy for the general circulation. Ph.D. thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, 200 pp.

  • Haynes, P., J. Scinocca, and M. Greenslade, 2001: Formation and maintenance of the extratropical tropopause by baroclinic eddies. Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 4179–4182.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Held, I. M., 1982: On the height of the tropopause and the static stability of the troposphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 39, 412–417.

  • Held, I. M., and M. J. Suarez, 1994: A proposal for the intercomparison of the dynamical cores of atmospheric general circulation models. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 75, 1825–1830.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Highwood, E. J., and B. J. Hoskins, 2006: The tropical tropopause. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 124, 1579–1604.

  • Hoerling, M. P., T. K. Schaack, and A. J. Lenzen, 1991: Global objective tropopause analysis. Mon. Wea. Rev., 119, 1816–1831.

  • Hoinka, K. P., 1998: Statistics of the global tropopause pressure. Mon. Wea. Rev., 126, 3303–3325.

  • Holton, J. R., P. H. Haynes, M. E. McIntyre, A. R. Douglass, R. B. Rood, and L. Pfister, 1995: Stratosphere–troposphere exchange. Rev. Geophys., 33, 403–439.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kirk-Davidoff, D. B., and R. S. Lindzen, 2000: An energy balance model based on potential vorticity homogenization. J. Climate, 13, 431–448.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lindzen, R. S., 1993: Baroclinic neutrality and the tropopause. J. Atmos. Sci., 50, 1148–1151.

  • Manabe, S., and R. F. Strickler, 1964: Thermal equilibrium of the atmosphere with a convective adjustment. J. Atmos. Sci., 21, 361–385.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Manabe, S., and R. T. Wetherald, 1967: Thermal equilibrium of the atmosphere with a given distribution of relative humidity. J. Atmos. Sci., 24, 241–259.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Manabe, S., J. Smagorinsky, and R. F. Strickler, 1965: Simulated climatology of a general circulation model with a hydrologic cycle. Mon. Wea. Rev., 93, 769–798.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pan, L. L., W. J. Randel, B. L. Gary, M. J. Mahoney, and E. J. Hintsa, 2004: Definitions and sharpness of the extratropical tropopause: A trace gas perspective. J. Geophys. Res., 109, D23103, doi:10.1029/2004JD004982.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schneider, T., 2004: The tropopause and the thermal stratification in the extratropics of a dry atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 61, 1317–1340.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schneider, T., and P. A. O’Gorman, 2008: Moist convection and the thermal stratification of the extratropical troposphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 65, 3571–3583.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Seidel, D. J., and W. J. Randel, 2006: Variability and trends in the global tropopause estimated from radiosonde data. J. Geophys. Res., 111, D21101, doi:10.1029/2006JD007363.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Seidel, D. J., and W. J. Randel, 2007: Recent widening of the tropical belt: Evidence from tropopause observations. J. Geophys. Res., 112, D20113, doi:10.1029/2007JD008861.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Simmons, A. J., and B. J. Hoskins, 1978: The life cycles of some nonlinear baroclinic waves. J. Atmos. Sci., 35, 414–432.

  • Son, S. W., S. Lee, and S. B. Feldstein, 2007: Intraseasonal variability of the zonal-mean extratropical tropopause height. J. Atmos. Sci., 64, 608–620.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stohl, A., and Coauthors, 2003: Stratosphere–troposphere exchange: A review, and what we have learned from STACCATO. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 8516, doi:10.1029/2002JD002490.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thuburn, J., and G. C. Craig, 1997: GCM tests of theories for the height of the tropopause. J. Atmos. Sci., 54, 869–882.

  • Thuburn, J., and G. C. Craig, 2000: Stratospheric influence on tropopause height: The radiative constraint. J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 17–28.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wirth, V., 2003: Static stability in the extratropical tropopause region. J. Atmos. Sci., 60, 1395–1409.

  • Wirth, V., and T. Szabo, 2007: Sharpness of the extratropical tropopause in baroclinic life cycle experiments. Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L02809, doi:10.1029/2006GL028369.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • WMO, 1957: Definition of the tropopause. WMO Bull., 6, 136.

  • Xu, K. M., and K. A. Emanuel, 1989: Is the tropical atmosphere conditionally unstable? Mon. Wea. Rev., 117, 1471–1479.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 285 85 14
PDF Downloads 158 42 0