A 2-d dynamical model of mesospheric temperature inversions in winter

Alain Hauchecorne (1) , Alexandre Maillard (1)

1 SA - Service d'aéronomie

A 2-D stratospheric and mesospheric dynamical model including drag and diffusion due to gravity wave breaking is used to simulate winter mesospheric temperature inversions similar to those observed by Rayleigh lidar. It is shown that adiabatic heating associated to descending velocities in the mesosphere is the main mechanism involved in the formation of such inversions. Sensitivity tests are performed with the model and confirm this assumption. It is also explained why other previous similar studies with 2-D models did not show mesospheric inversion layers.

Mots clés: Dynamic Models; Gravity Waves; Mesosphere; Temperature Inversions; Two Dimensional Models; Winter; Adiabatic Conditions; Computerized Simulation; Optical Radar; Temperature Distribution; Temperature Gradients

Domaines: Physique Atmosphérique et Océanique [physics.ao-ph]

Alain Hauchecorne, Alexandre Maillard. A 2-d dynamical model of mesospheric temperature inversions in winter. Geophysical Research Letters, 1990, 17 (12), pp.2197-2200. ⟨10.1029/GL017i012p02197⟩. ⟨insu-03130834⟩