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

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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

Atmospheric Sciences

San Jose State University

2011

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The Effect Of Zonally Asymmetric Ozone Heating On The Northern Hemisphere Winter Polar Stratosphere, J. P. Mccormack, T. R. Nathan, E. C. Cordero Feb 2011

The Effect Of Zonally Asymmetric Ozone Heating On The Northern Hemisphere Winter Polar Stratosphere, J. P. Mccormack, T. R. Nathan, E. C. Cordero

Faculty Publications, Meteorology and Climate Science

[1] Previous modeling studies have found significant differences in winter extratropical stratospheric temperatures depending on the presence or absence of zonally asymmetric ozone heating (ZAOH), yet the physical mechanism causing these differences has not been fully explained. The present study describes the effect of ZAOH on the dynamics of the Northern Hemisphere extratropical stratosphere using an ensemble of free-running atmospheric general circulation model simulations over the 1 December - 31 March period. We find that the simulations including ZAOH produce a significantly warmer and weaker stratospheric polar vortex in mid-February due to more frequent major stratospheric sudden warmings compared to …


The Effect Of Zonally Asymmetric Ozone Heating On The Northern Hemisphere Winter Polar Stratosphere, J. P. Mccormack, T. R. Nathan, E. C. Cordero Feb 2011

The Effect Of Zonally Asymmetric Ozone Heating On The Northern Hemisphere Winter Polar Stratosphere, J. P. Mccormack, T. R. Nathan, E. C. Cordero

Eugene C. Cordero

[1] Previous modeling studies have found significant differences in winter extratropical stratospheric temperatures depending on the presence or absence of zonally asymmetric ozone heating (ZAOH), yet the physical mechanism causing these differences has not been fully explained. The present study describes the effect of ZAOH on the dynamics of the Northern Hemisphere extratropical stratosphere using an ensemble of free-running atmospheric general circulation model simulations over the 1 December - 31 March period. We find that the simulations including ZAOH produce a significantly warmer and weaker stratospheric polar vortex in mid-February due to more frequent major stratospheric sudden warmings compared to …


Fire Whirl Evolution Observed During A Valley Wind-Sea Breeze Reversal, Daisuke Seto, Craig B. Clements Jan 2011

Fire Whirl Evolution Observed During A Valley Wind-Sea Breeze Reversal, Daisuke Seto, Craig B. Clements

Faculty Publications, Meteorology and Climate Science

This observational study documented the atmospheric environment of a prescribed fire conducted in a narrow valley when a small fire whirl developed during a mesoscale wind reversal. Based on analysis of in situ meteorological measurements, it is hypothesized that the fire whirl formed due to the presence of strong vertical wind shear caused by the interaction of a sea breeze front with a weaker up-valley wind. Vorticity generated by the interaction of the wind shear and the fire front was estimated to be ~0.2 s−1. Peak turbulence kinetic energy was caused by the wind shear rather than the buoyancy generated …