Mountain Waves above Southern Andes, Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula

A. DE LA TORRE, P. ALEXANDER, P. LLAMEDO, R. HIERRO, A. ROLLA, T. SCHMIDT Y J. WICKERT

Bremen

Congreso; COSPAR; 2010

COSPAR Scientific Assembly

From satellite data, it was observed that this region is one of the most energetic on Earth for the vertical propagation of gravity waves (GWs). The Drake Passage is one of the stormiest places on earth, and thus also a significant source of large amplitudeGWsfrom other mechanisms than topographic forcing. From GPS radio occultation profiles, WRFV3 mesoscale model simulations initialized by ECMWF and wavelet analysis, we study the main stationary modes usually present in this area. In particular, we describe the systematic propagation of large amplitude GW stationary modes, generated by the mountain forcing of the strong eastward winds. Wavelet analyses at constant pressure levels reveal that these modes exhibit a prevailing eastward component and horizontal wavelengths between tens and hundred km. They are described as a function of latitude, longitude and height. Their amplitudes, vertical and horizontal wavelengths and directions of propagation are described