In an effort to establish a thorough
understanding of atmospheric coupling during Sudden Stratospheric
Warmings (SSWs), we propose to bring together experts in middle
atmosphere chemistry and dynamics with experts in the
ionosphere-thermosphere system. Through combining ground-to-space
whole atmosphere models with ground-based and satellite
observations, we aim to develop an in-depth understanding of the
three-dimensional global variability that occurs throughout the
atmosphere during SSWs. The comparison of model simulations with a
comprehensive set of observations will not only serve to validate
the model simulations, but also allow for the model simulations to
aid in the interpretation of the observations. This will
significantly improve our understanding of the processes that
drive vertical coupling.Three goals were defined:
- Goal 1: How do whole atmosphere model simulations of SSWs
compare to observations in the mesosphere, thermosphere, and
ionosphere? And, is this consistent across SSWs?
- Goal 2: Can a classification scheme of SSW-related
disturbances in the upper atmosphere lead to better
understanding the link between the drivers of SSWs and upper
atmosphere variability?
- Goal 3: What is the connection between local and global
variability?
Group photo taken at the first meeting (from left to right: Bernd
Funke, Nick Pedatella, Vivien Matthias, Hauke Schmidt, Larisa
Goncharenko, Peter Hoffmann, Christoph Zülicke, Koki Chau, Tarique
Siddiqui)