Kelvin-Helmholtz Billows in the Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere
Detected by the PANSY Radar
Abstract
We conducted two 10-day observational campaigns in 2019 targeting
turbulence in the troposphere and lower stratosphere by adopting a
frequency domain radar interferometric imaging technique using Program
of the Antarctic Syowa (PANSY) radar and radiosonde observations
obtained at Syowa Station in the Antarctic. Overall, 73 cases of
Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) billows were detected, and 2 characteristic cases
were examined in detail. In the first case with the longest duration of
~6.5 h, the K-H billows had thickness of
~800 m and horizontal wavelength of
~2500 m. According to a numerical simulation of the
environmental conditions, continuously existing orographic gravity waves
maintained strong vertical shear of the horizontal winds sufficient to
cause the K-H instability. In the second case with the deepest thickness
of ~1600m, the K-H billows had duration of
~1.5 h and horizontal wavelength of
~4320m. Numerical simulation suggested that an enhanced
upper-tropospheric jet associated with a well-developed synoptic-scale
cyclone caused the K-H instability. Such background conditions,
frequently observed in the Antarctic coastal region, are typical
mechanisms for K-H excitation. Linear stability analysis also indicated
that the characteristics of the observed K-H billows were consistent
with the most unstable modes. Furthermore, statical analysis was
performed using data of all 73 observed cases. The characteristics of
K-H billows observed at Syowa Station are similar to those observed over
Japan. However, the weaker vertical shear and longer wave period of the
K-H billows over Syowa Station reflect that the tropospheric jet over
the Antarctica is not as strong as that over Japan.