Atmospheric Gravity Waves in Aeolus Wind Lidar Observations

Abstract Aeolus is the first Doppler wind lidar in space. It provides unique high-resolution measurements of horizontal wind in the sparsely-observed upper-troposphere/lower-stratosphere (UTLS), with global coverage. In this study, Aeolus’ ability to resolve atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) is demonstrated. The accurate representation of these small-scale waves is vital to properly simulate dynamics in global weather and climate models. In a case study over the Andes, Aeolus GW measurements show coherent phase structure from the surface to the lower stratosphere, with wind perturbations > 10 ms−1, a vertical wavelength ∼8 km and an along-track horizontal wavelength ∼900 km. Good agreement is found between Aeolus and colocated satellite, ground-based lidar and reanalysis data sets for this example. Our results show that data from satellites of this type can provide unique information on GW sources and propagation in the UTLS, filling a key knowledge gap that underlies known major deficiencies in weather and climate modelling.