Influence of the vertical and zonal propagation of stratospheric planetary waves on tropospheric blockings

Abstract

Case studies are used to elucidate the relationship between stratospheric planetary wave reflection and blocking formation in the troposphere. The enhanced upward propagation of a planetary-scale wave packet from the Eurasian sector, involving a Euro-Atlantic blocking, leads to a stratospheric sudden warming (SSW). Following the weakening of the stratospheric westerly jet due to polar warming, the stratospheric planetary wave packet then propagates downward over the American sector, inducing a ridge over the North Pacific as well as a trough over eastern Canada in the upper troposphere. The ridge promotes the formation of a Pacific blocking. This result explains why Pacific blockings tend to form after SSW, and why they are associated with suppressed upward propagation of planetary waves. Key Points Planetary wave packet propagates downward from the stratosphere after SSW The downward propagating wave packet enhances Pacific ridge in the troposphere The enhanced ridge promotes the occurrence of Pacific blocking after SSW ©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.