articleReviews of GeophysicsNov 24, 2020BRONZE OA

Sudden Stratospheric Warmings

MBMark BaldwinBABlanca AyarzagüenaTBThomas BirnerNBNeal ButchartAHAmy H. Butler

University of Exeter · Universidad Complutense de Madrid · +13 more institutions

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Abstract

Abstract Sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) are impressive fluid dynamical events in which large and rapid temperature increases in the winter polar stratosphere ( ∼ 10–50 km) are associated with a complete reversal of the climatological wintertime westerly winds. SSWs are caused by the breaking of planetary‐scale waves that propagate upwards from the troposphere. During an SSW, the polar vortex breaks down, accompanied by rapid descent and warming of air in polar latitudes, mirrored by ascent and cooling above the warming. The rapid warming and descent of the polar air column affect tropospheric weather, shifting jet streams, storm tracks, and the Northern Annular Mode, making cold air outbreaks over North…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Stratosphere
  • Polar vortex
  • Troposphere
  • Sudden stratospheric warming
  • Atmospheric sciences
  • Climatology
  • Atmosphere (unit)
  • Environmental science
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Climate action
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