Equatorial Waves, Diurnal Tides and Small-Scale Thermal Variability in the Tropical Lower Stratosphere From COSMIC-2 Radio Occultation

A new constellation of radio occultation satellites called COSMIC-2 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2) is providing unprecedented dense measurements of the tropical atmosphere, with on average more than 4,000 high quality observations per day over 40 degrees N-S. We use these data to evaluate large- and small-scale thermal variability in the tropical lower stratosphere during October 2019 - April 2020. Space-time spectral analysis of 6-hourly gridded COSMIC-2 data reveals a rich spectrum of traveling planetary-scale waves, including Kelvin waves, mixed Rossby-gravity waves and inertia gravity waves, in addition to propagating diurnal tides. These coherent modes show enhanced amplitudes from the tropical tropopause through the lower stratosphere (similar to 17-25 km). Characteristics of small-scale temperature variances, calculated as deviations from the gridded fields, reveal systematic spatial patterns including time average maxima over Africa and South America overlying frequent deep convection. Small-scale variances also exhibit transient maxima in the equatorial lower stratosphere tied to local variations in static stability, associated with large-scale Kelvin waves. The new COSMIC-2 observations provide novel details on the rich spectrum of large- and small-scale waves near and above the tropical tropopause. Plain Language Summary A new constellation of radio occultation satellites called COSMIC-2 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate-2) is providing unprecedented dense measurements of the tropical atmosphere, with on average more than 4,000 high quality observations per day over 40 degrees N-S. We use these data to provide novel understanding of temperature variability near the tropical tropopause and lower stratosphere (similar to 10-30 km). COSMIC-2 data reveal a rich spectrum of large- and small-scale waves, including eastward- and westward-propagating planetary-scale equatorial waves and diurnal tides. The measurements also identify localized regions of enhanced temperature variability tied to small-scale gravity waves. These new measurements are valuable for constraining global models and understanding water vapor and high-level clouds in the tropics.

Automated summary

The new COSMIC-2 constellation of satellites is providing dense measurements of the tropical atmosphere, revealing a rich spectrum of large- and small-scale waves. These satellites have identified various planetary-scale waves as well as localized temperature variations associated with small-scale gravity waves.