Geomagnetic activity signatures in wintertime stratosphere wind, temperature, and wave response

We analyzed ERA‐40 and ERA Interim meteorological re‐analysis data for signatures of geomagnetic activity in zonal mean zonal wind, temperature, and Eliassen‐Palm flux in the Northern Hemisphere extended winter (November–March). We found that for high geomagnetic activity levels, the stratospheric polar vortex becomes stronger in late winter, with more planetary waves being refracted equatorward. The statistically significant signals first appear in December and continue until March, with poleward propagation of the signals with time, even though some uncertainty remains due to the limited amount of data available ( ∼ 50 years). Our results also indicated that the geomagnetic effect on planetary wave propagation has a tendency to take place when the stratosphere background flow is relatively stable or when the polar vortex is stronger and less disturbed in early winter. These conditions typically occur during high solar irradiance cycle conditions or westerly quasi‐biennial oscillation conditions. Key Points Geomagnetic activity modulates wave propagation in NH winter. With high geomagnetic activity polar vortex becomes more stable in late winter. Effect on wave propagation is modulated by solar irradiance and QBO.