The CPW-TEC project: Planetary waves in the middle atmosphere and ionosphere

Abstract. Maps of vertically integrated electron density over the higher middle and polar latitudes that are regularly produced by DLR Neustrelitz are investigated with respect to planetary waves (PW) in the period range of several days. The results are compared with planetary wave analyses using stratospheric reanalyses. Case studies show that PW signatures in the ionosphere and neutral middle atmosphere waves have similar seasonal variations, indicating a possible coupling between these layers. Numerical modelling of the middle and upper atmosphere is performed to analyse the possible penetration of PW effects into the thermosphere. Numerical results show that direct propagation of PW to the thermosphere is not possible, and indirect ionospheric effects must be responsible for the wave coupling of the atmospheric layers. In the paper an overview of the data used and the methods applied in this project is given.