Observations of wave-mean flow interaction in the Southern Hemisphere.

Abstract

Variations of zonal mean and eddy properties in the Southern Hemisphere during the winter of 1979 are studied. Several periods of enhanced wave activity and rapid zonal-mean changes are observed. During these periods of rapid change both the actual zonal wind tendency and the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence have a dipole pattern in the upper stratosphere, with positive values in high latitudes and negative values in middle and low latitudes. The positive values of E-P flux divergence near the pole are particularly interesting, since they suggest a possible source of wave activity in this region.-from Authors