NEW DATA ON MESOSCALE AND TURBULENT FLUCTUATIONS OF TEMPERATURE AND WIND IN THE ZONE OF THE TROPICAL TROPOPAUSE

S. M. Shmeter, A. A. Postnov, and G. N. Shur

Within the framework of an International expedition, in situ measurements in the atmosphere over the equatorial and tropical Indian Ocean up to the 21-km level are carried out by the Central Aerological Observatory using the stratospheric M-55 Geofizika aircraft in February to March 1999. New experimental data on mesoscale fluctuations of wind, temperature, and vertical motions in the layer of the equatorial and tropical tropopause and in its vicinity are obtained. Structure, sizes, and energetics of mesoscale fluctuations are discussed along with possible causes of their formation.