Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Numerical Simulation Of The Long-Range Propagation Of Gravity Wave Packets At High Latitudes, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, M. P. Hickey Oct 2014

Numerical Simulation Of The Long-Range Propagation Of Gravity Wave Packets At High Latitudes, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, M. P. Hickey

Publications

We use a 2-D, nonlinear, time-dependent numerical model to simulate the propagation of wave packets under average high latitude, winter conditions. We investigate the ability of waves to propagate large horizontal distances, depending on their direction of propagation relative to the average modeled ambient winds. Wave sources were specified to represent the following: (1) the most common wave parameters inferred from observations of Nielsen et al. (2009) ((18 km λᵪ , 7.5 min period), (2) waves consistent with the average phase speed observed (40 m/s) but outlying horizontal wavelength and period values (40 km λᵪ , 17 min period), and …


On The Dynamics, Thermodynamics, And Forecast Model Evaluation Of Two Snow-Burst Events In Southern Alberta, Shawn M. Milrad, John R. Gyakum, Kelly Lombardo, Eyad H. Atallah Jun 2014

On The Dynamics, Thermodynamics, And Forecast Model Evaluation Of Two Snow-Burst Events In Southern Alberta, Shawn M. Milrad, John R. Gyakum, Kelly Lombardo, Eyad H. Atallah

Publications

Two high-impact convective snowband events (‘‘snow bursts’’) that affected Calgary, Alberta, Canada, are examined to better understand the dynamics and thermodynamics of heavy snowbands not associated with lake effects or the cold conveyor belt of synoptic-scale cyclones. Such events are typically characterized by brief, but heavy, periods of snow; low visibilities; and substantial hazards to automobile and aviation interests. Previous literature on these events has been limited to a few case studies across North America, including near the leeside foothills of the U.S. Rockies. The large-scale dynamics and thermodynamics are investigated using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) North …


Reduction Of Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions To Mitigate Climate Change Impacts, Mary Snow, Richard Snow May 2014

Reduction Of Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions To Mitigate Climate Change Impacts, Mary Snow, Richard Snow

Publications

Weather affects almost all modes of transportation in a modern society, and likewise, transportation has an enormous impact on the weather. Transportation greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) impact climate change, which impacts transportation in return. Reduction of transportation impacts on climate change can mitigate the reverse climate change impacts on transportation. This paper examines the relationship between transportation and climate change and establishes prospective solutions to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emission impacts on climate change and mitigate the reverse climate change impacts on transportation.


Thermospheric Dissipation Of Upward Propagating Gravity Wave Packets, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, M. P. Hickey, C. J. Ali May 2014

Thermospheric Dissipation Of Upward Propagating Gravity Wave Packets, C. J. Heale, J. B. Snively, M. P. Hickey, C. J. Ali

Publications

We use a nonlinear, fully compressible, two-dimensional numerical model to study the effects of dissipation on gravity wave packet spectra in the thermosphere. Numerical simulations are performed to excite gravity wave packets using either a time-dependent vertical body forcing at the bottom boundary or a specified initial wave perturbation. Three simulation case studies are performed to excite (1) a steady state monochromatic wave, (2) a spectrally broad wave packet, and (3) a quasi-monochromatic wave packet. In addition, we analyze (4) an initial condition simulation with an isothermal background. We find that, in cases where the wave is not continually forced, …


Very Low Frequency Subionospheric Remote Sensing Of Thunderstorm-Driven Acoustic Waves In The Lower Ionosphere, R. A. Marshall, J. B. Snively May 2014

Very Low Frequency Subionospheric Remote Sensing Of Thunderstorm-Driven Acoustic Waves In The Lower Ionosphere, R. A. Marshall, J. B. Snively

Publications

"We present observations of narrowband subionospheric VLF transmitter signals on 20 March 2001, exhibiting coherent fluctuations of over 1 dB peak to peak. Spectral analysis shows that the fluctuations have periods of 1–4 min and are largely coherent. The subionospheric propagation path of the signal from Puerto Rico to Colorado passes over two regions of convective and lightning activity, as observed by GOES satellite imagery and National Lightning Detection Network lightning data. We suggest that these fluctuations are evidence of acoustic waves launched by the convective activity below, observed in the 80–90 km altitude range to which nighttime VLF subionospheric …


Auroral Ionospheric F Region Density Cavity Formation And Evolution: Mica Campaign Results, M. Zettergren, K. A. Lynch, D. L. Hampton, M. Nicolls, B. Wright, Et Al. Apr 2014

Auroral Ionospheric F Region Density Cavity Formation And Evolution: Mica Campaign Results, M. Zettergren, K. A. Lynch, D. L. Hampton, M. Nicolls, B. Wright, Et Al.

Publications

Auroral ionospheric F region density depletions observed by PFISR (Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar) during the MICA (Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén Resonator) sounding rocket campaign are critically examined alongside complementary numerical simulations. Particular processes of interest include cavity formation due to intense frictional heating and Pedersen drifts, evolution in the presence of structured precipitation, and refilling due to impact ionization and downflows. Our analysis uses an ionospheric fluid model which solves conservation of mass, momentum, and energy equations for all major ionospheric species. These fluid equations are coupled to an electrostatic current continuity equation to self‐consistently describe auroral electric …


Synoptic Typing And Precursors Of Heavy Warm-Season Precipitation Events At Montreal, Québec, Shawn M. Milrad, Eyad H. Atallah, John R. Gyakum, Giselle Dookhie Apr 2014

Synoptic Typing And Precursors Of Heavy Warm-Season Precipitation Events At Montreal, Québec, Shawn M. Milrad, Eyad H. Atallah, John R. Gyakum, Giselle Dookhie

Publications

A precipitation climatology is compiled for warm-season events at Montreal, Québec, Canada, using 6-h precipitation data. A total of 1663 events are recorded and partitioned into three intensity categories (heavy, moderate, and light), based on percentile ranges. Heavy (top 10%) precipitation events (n = 166) are partitioned into four types, using a unique manual synoptic typing based on the divergence of Q-vector components. Type A is related to cyclones and strong synoptic-scale quasigeostrophic (QG) forcing for ascent, with high-θe air being advected into the Montreal region from the south. Types B and C are dominated by frontogenesis (mesoscale QG forcing …