Diurnal variations of midlatitude NLC parameters observed by daylight‐capable lidar and their relation to ambient parameters. Issue 24 (18th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerding, M.; Kopp, M.; Hoffmann, P.; Höffner, J.; Lübken, F.‐J.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 40:Issue 24(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 6390
• Page End: 6394
• Publication Date: 2013-12-18
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2013GL057955
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="grl51185-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p id="grl51185-para-0001">[1] Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs) are an important phenomenon of the summer mesopause region. While relatively common in high latitudes, NLCs are sparse (≤10% occurrence rate) below 60°latitude. We present the first study of diurnal variations of midlatitude NLCs based on lidar observations with full diurnal coverage at Kühlungsborn since 2010 independent from solar elevation. Overall, ∼100h of NLCs with a backscatter coefficient of <italic>β</italic>_{max, 532nm}&gt;0.5·10⁻¹⁰m⁻¹sr⁻¹are observed within ∼1800h. Occurrence rates decrease regularly from 12% at 5local solar time (LST) to ∼2% at 19LST. The mean NLC brightness varies between ∼1 and ∼3·10⁻¹⁰m⁻¹sr⁻¹with maxima at 4 and 18LST. The simultaneously observed temperatures show a systematic (tidal) variation, but we do not find a direct relation to NLC rates. Comparing NLCs and ambient winds, we find strong indications for the meridional wind (advection) being the main driver for NLC occurrence above our site.</p> </abstract>