DIURNAL VARIATIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC ANGULAR MOMENTUM COMPONENTS

N. S. Sidorenkov and O. V. Lutsenko

Series of six-hourly values of atmospheric angular momentum components are analyzed using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis wind data for 1948—2001. Diurnal variations of these components are determined. It is shown that the vector of relative atmospheric angular momentum performs nutation movements with a nearly diurnal period. The equatorial vector of atmospheric angular momentum rotates in the equatorial plane from east to west with a nearly diurnal period. Diurnal variations of the equatorial component of atmospheric angular momentum are modulated in both amplitude and phase.