Planetary waves are global fluctuations of the parameters of the atmosphere covering the entire thickness. Their amplitude increases with height due to the decrease in the density of the atmosphere, so planetary waves have become the main driving force of the meridian circulation – the transfer of air masses between the equator and the poles. The “echoes” of planetary waves cause periods of extreme cooling or warming in the Arctic and temperate northern latitudes.
Employees of St. Petersburg State University’s Ozone Layer and Upper Atmosphere Research Laboratory simulated the circulation of the atmosphere in planetary waves lasting between three and 16 days. The latter is regularly observed in the atmosphere, especially intensifying in winter in the northern hemisphere. It turns out that this planetary wave can change the wind speed by an average of up to 5% per month. The researchers published their simulation results in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
