A PROPOSED MODEL OF THE CIRCULATION IN THE UPPER STRATOSPHERE

Abstract

A tentative model of the stratosphere is proposed. The model suggests a simple pattern for the general circulation of the upper atmosphere up to about 120 km, the pattern being consistent with most of the observational data pertaining to the stratosphere. Slopes of isobaric surfaces calculated from wind-velocity data and general considerations of the way in which thermal energy is applied to the upper atmosphere are used to estimate temperature distributions at high elevations over the poles.