Article Type:
Research Article

On the Quasi-Decadal Modulation of the Stratospheric QBO Period

Kevin Hamilton Department of Meteorology and International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Print Publication:
01 Sep 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(2002)015<2562:OTQDMO>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2562–2565
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Abstract

The length of the westerly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere is examined using the longest available record (1950–2001). An earlier finding by Salby and Callagan of a systematic quasi-decadal modulation of the QBO period is confirmed, although the earlier suggestion of a strong connection with the solar cycle is less clear in the extended record.

Corresponding author address: Kevin Hamilton, International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2525 Correa Rd. Honolulu, HI 96822. Email: kph@soest.hawaii.edu

Abstract

The length of the westerly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere is examined using the longest available record (1950–2001). An earlier finding by Salby and Callagan of a systematic quasi-decadal modulation of the QBO period is confirmed, although the earlier suggestion of a strong connection with the solar cycle is less clear in the extended record.

Corresponding author address: Kevin Hamilton, International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2525 Correa Rd. Honolulu, HI 96822. Email: kph@soest.hawaii.edu

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