HAO 2011 Profiles In Science: Dr. Qian Wu

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Dr. Qian Wu is a Project Scientist III at the High Altitude Observatory at NCAR. He specializes in observations of mesospheric gravity waves and tidal waves using ground-based instruments at high latitudes, inclucing TIDI observations of high-latitude mesospheric winds. He is very accomplished in the development of optical instruments for ground-based and spacecraft use.

Publications

(1) Wu, Q., D.A. Ortland, S.C. Solomon, W.R. Skinner, and R.J. Niciejewski. 2011: Global distribution, seasonal, and inter-annual variations of mesospheric semidiurnal tide observed by TIMED TIDI, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., in press.

Abstract: Based on TIDI mesospheric wind observations, Wu et al. [2011] analyzed the semidiurnal tide westward zonal wavenumber 1 and 2 (SW1 and SW2) component seasonal, inter-annual variations, and possible sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) related changes. Major findings are as follows: (1) The SW1 has a peak near the South Pole during the December solstice and near the North Pole during the March equinox. (2) The SW2 peaks at 60S and 60N mostly during winter solstices. The SW2 also peaks during late summer and early fall in the northern hemisphere. (3) The QBO effect on the semidiurnal tide is much weaker than that on the diurnal tide. The March equinox northern SW1 zonal amplitude appears to be stronger during the westward phase of the QBO, which is opposite of migrating diurnal tide QBO response. (4) Possible SSW event related changes in the semidiurnal tide are significant but not always consistent. Enhancements in the mid-latitude SW2 component during SSWs are observed, which may be related to the increase of total ozone at mid and high latitudes during SSW events. TIDI observations also show a decrease in the SW2 in the opposite hemisphere during a southern SSW event in 2002. Small increases in the high latitude SW1 in both hemispheres during the 2002 southern SSW event were recorded.