Abstract The new zonal mean COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere (CIRA-86) of temperature, zonal wind, and geopotential/geometric height is presented. This data can be used as a function of altitude or pressure and has nearly pole-to-pole coverage (80°S-80°N) extending from the ground to approximately 120 km. Data sources and methods of computation are described; in general, hydrostatic and thermal wind balance are maintained at all levels and latitudes. As shown by a series of cross sectional plots, the new CIRA accurately reproduces most of the characteristic features of the atmosphere such as the equatorial wind and the general structure of the tropopause, stratopause, and mesopause.


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    Title :

    Zonal mean temperature, pressure, zonal wind and geopotential height as functions of latitude


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1990-01-01


    Size :

    49 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English