Model calculations on the structure of planetary waves in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere as a function of the wind field in the upper stratosphere

ABSTRACT The influence of variations of the mean zonal wind in the upper atmosphere on the structure of planetary waves in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere has been investigated by means of a two‐dimensional stationary wave‐propagation model. It is found that the amplitude and phase at altitudes between 5 and 20 km, where the refraction index was left unchanged, are very sensitive to the mean zonal wind in the upper stratosphere. The reason for this dependence is the reflection of the planetary wave at the polar night jet. In the region above 20 km the structure of planetary waves depends strongly on the mean zonal wind as was previously found by Schoeberl and Geller (1976). Our calculations corroborate the conception that anthropogenic modifications and extra‐terrestrial effects in the middle stratosphere can lead to consequences in the troposphere, as previously discussed by Bates (1977) and Grieger and Schmitz (1978).