Gravity waves generated by convection during TWP-ICE: I. inertia-gravity waves

Abstract

Gravity waves are analyzed in radiosonde soundings taken during the Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) campaign. The properties of the inertia-gravity waves are analyzed in Part I, whereas Part II focuses on high-frequency gravity waves. Two groups of inertia-gravity waves are detected: group L (Long vertical wavelength) in the middle stratosphere during the suppressed monsoon period and group S (Short vertical wavelength) in the lower stratosphere during the monsoon break period. Waves belonging to group L propagate to the southeast with a mean intrinsic period of 35 h and have vertical and horizontal wavelengths of about 5-6 km and 3000-6000 km, respectively. Ray-tracing calculations indicate that these waves originate from a deep convective region near Indonesia. Waves belonging to group S propagate to the south-southeast with an intrinsic period, vertical wavelength, and horizontal wavelength of about 45 h, 2 km, and 2000-4000 km, respectively. These waves appear to originate from convection in the vicinity of New Guinea.