Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-27
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-27
06 Jan 2025
 | 06 Jan 2025
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal ANGEO.

Research on 16-day Planetary Waves in the Mid-latitude Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, and Lower Thermosphere with Langfang Dual-frequency ST-M Radar Data

Zengmao Zhang, Xiong Hu, Qingchen Xu, Bing Cai, and Junfeng Yang

Abstract. Horizontal wind observational data by the dual-frequency Stratosphere-Troposphere-Meteor (ST-M) radar at Langfang Observatory from March 2023 to February 2024, was used to investigate spatiotemporal variations, and propagation characteristics of planetary waves, as well as the relationship between planetary waves in the troposphere and stratosphere (ST) and the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) over Langfang mid-latitude regions. The quasi-16-day planetary wave’s activities are obtained by applying band-pass filtering on the daily averaged horizontal wind. Simultaneous MERRA-2 reanalysis wind data are used to derive the dominant zonal wavenumbers of 16-day waves in ST and mesosphere, and also the background zonal winds through which the planetary may propagate vertically. Results show that 16-day wave activity occurs all the year, its zonal component is stronger than the meridional component, and it is characterized by being strong in winter and weak in summer. It is newly found that the vertical phase propagation direction of 16-day wave got changed during autumn and winter that in autumn August–September it is upward in ST and downward in MLT, and upward in ST but upward in MLT in November–December, and downward in ST and upward in MLT after later December. The dominant zonal wavenumbers for the 16-day wave are (ST: -1, MLT: 2) in August–September, and (ST: 2, MLT: 4) in November–December, and (ST: -1, MLT: 4) in December–January respectively in MERRA-2 data. It can be derived with the information of vertical phase velocity and zonal wavenumber that the group velocity of the 16-days in radar data is downward in ST and downward in MLT in August–September, and upward in ST and upward in MLT in November–December, and downward in ST and Upward in MLT in December–January, respectively. Together with the zonal background winds from MERRA-2 and radar over the field site which provide the vertical propagation condition for planetary waves, it can infer that the observed 16-day wave in ST may be triggered by the jet at about 14km altitude and hence propagated downward in August–September, and the background wind do not allow upward propagating of the wave. So, the observed wave in MLT in August–September may be trigged by another unknown source above or refracted from low-or-high latitude regions. The observed 16-day wave in ST in November–December is not the same as that before, was generated in the lower atmosphere and propagated through the background winds upward maybe into the MLT regions as observed. In December–January, the observed 16-day wave in ST gets changed zonal wavenumber again, it is also generated in the lower atmosphere and propagate upward. However, its upward propagation will be blocked by the above winds and therefore cannot penetrate into the MLT above. The observed wave in MLT in December–January could be the one already existed there before. The newly observations and interpretations help us to further understanding the vertical coupling among the ST and MLT by planetary waves.

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Zengmao Zhang, Xiong Hu, Qingchen Xu, Bing Cai, and Junfeng Yang

Status: open (until 29 Mar 2025)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on angeo-2024-27', Anonymous Referee #1, 17 Feb 2025 reply
  • Lack of Novelty or Contribution
    • Similar observations of planetary waves using ST radar and meteor radar at mid-latitudes already exist.
    • The study does not present new knowledge about the conditions for vertical PW propagation.
  • Poor Writing That Hampers Understanding
    • The manuscript is difficult to read due to numerous spelling errors and unusual or misleading word choices.
    • Many statements lack clarity.
     

    Methodological Concerns and Suggestions

    The authors aim to estimate the period and vertical wavelength (hence vertical phase speed) of observed planetary waves. However, the reviewer finds the approach inefficient. Below are specific concerns and suggestions for improvement:

    • Step 1: This step is valid and reasonable. However, the computation of the error of daily mean winds and wind variances should be included. These can be used to establish significance levels in the Lomb-Scargle (LS) analysis.
    • Step 2: This step is unnecessary.
    • Step 3:
      • The choice of Lomb-Scargle spectral analysis is appropriate given the unevenly sampled data. This method provides spectral amplitudes and phases as functions of both frequency and time/altitude thanks to the usage of a sliding window.
      • However, a proper significance analysis, based on measurement uncertainties and daily wind variances, is essential to identifying significant peaks in the LS periodogram.
    • Band-pass Filtering Concern:
      • The reviewer questions the use of a band-pass filter, which requires a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and thus necessitates regular gridding of the data.
      • Why is interpolation applied at this stage when it was carefully avoided earlier?
    • Final Step (Harmonic Fitting & Wave Reconstruction):
      • Harmonic fitting could be done without prior filtering since it is already a part of the LS algorithm.
      • To determine the uncertainty of vertical wavelengths a Monte Carlo approach should be used in the linear fit of phase lines.
      • This is crucial because small errors in phase line slopes can lead to incorrect conclusions about vertical propagation direction.

    Alternative Approach

    To avoid interpolation, band-pass filtering, and wave reconstruction, the reviewer suggests the following alternative method:

    • Utilizing Phase Shifts in the LS Periodogram
      • Phase shifts between altitudes in the LS periodogram provide direct information on instantaneous vertical wavelength.
      • To improve accuracy, these phase shifts should be averaged over the altitude range where the signal is significant.
      • This approach allows the authors to report both a mean vertical wavelength and its associated uncertainty.

    Given the large vertical wavelengths involved, uncertainty estimation is critical. Even a small phase shift can incorrectly indicate a reversal in the vertical propagation direction.

Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2024-27-RC1
Zengmao Zhang, Xiong Hu, Qingchen Xu, Bing Cai, and Junfeng Yang
Zengmao Zhang, Xiong Hu, Qingchen Xu, Bing Cai, and Junfeng Yang

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Short summary
Using horizontal wind data collected by the dual-frequency Stratosphere-Troposphere-Meteor radar at the Langfang Observatory, the spatiotemporal characteristics and propagation properties of planetary waves in the troposphere-stratosphere (ST) and mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) were explored, along with their interactions across different atmospheric layers. These new observations enhance our understanding of vertical coupling between the ST and MLT through planetary waves.
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