Global normal mode planetary wave activity: a study using TIMED/SABER observations from the stratosphere to the mesosphere-lower thermosphere

A comprehensive study of three normal mode travelling planetary waves, namely the quasi-16, -10 and -5 day waves, is carried out globally using 5 years (2003–2007) of TIMED/SABER temperature measurements from the stratosphere to the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) by employing the two dimensional Fourier decomposition technique. From preliminary analysis, it is found that significant amplitudes of normal modes are confined to wave numbers-2 (westward propagating modes) to 2 (eastward propagating modes). The westward propagating quasi 16-day waves with zonal wave number 1 (W1; W1 refers to westward propagating wave with zonal wave number 1) peaks over winter-hemispheric high latitudes with northern hemisphere (NH) having higher amplitudes as compared to their southern hemispheric (SH) counterpart. The W1 quasi 16-day waves exhibit a double peak structure in altitude over winter hemispheric high latitudes. The eastward propagating quasi 16-day waves with wave number 1 (E1; E1 refers to eastward propagating wave with zonal wave number 1) exhibits similar features as that of W1 waves in the NH. In contrast, the E1 quasi 16-day waves in the SH show larger amplitudes as compared to the W1 waves and they do not exhibit double peak structure in altitude. Similar to the quasi 16-day waves, the quasi 10- and 5-day wave amplitudes with respect to their wavenumbers are delineated. Unlike quasi-16 and -10 day waves, quasi-5 day waves peak during vernal equinox both in the SH and NH. The peak activity of the W1 quasi-5 day wave is centered around 40°N and 40°S exhibiting symmetry with respect to the equator. A detailed discussion on the height-latitude structure, interannual variability and inter-hemispheric propagation of quasi 16-, 10- and 5-day waves are discussed. The significance of the present study lies in establishing the 5-year climatology of normal mode planetary waves from the stratosphere to the MLT region including their spatial–temporal evolution, which are very important from the middle atmospheric dynamics standpoint.