The vertical connection of the quasi-biennial oscillation-modulated 11 year solar cycle signature in geopotential height and planetary waves during Northern Hemisphere early winter

[1] We analyzed observational geopotential height data to provide some new insights on the 11 year solar cycle signal in the Northern Hemisphere early winter and its modulation by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). The signals are strongest in the upper stratosphere. When the QBO is in its easterly phase (QBOe), it appears to move gradually eastward and poleward, resulting in a predominantly positive signal over the pole, with a weaker vertically connected negative signal over the Icelandic Low. When the QBO is in its westerly phase (QBOw), the polar stratospheric signal is mainly negative and appears connected to a negative anomaly in the troposphere over the Aleutian Low. A spectral analysis of the stratospheric response in planetary waves showed a reduction of wave number 2 power under QBOe and an enhancement of wave number 3 under QBOw. These responses are characterized by an overall increase/decrease in wave activity at middle to high latitudes rather than a latitudinal shift of wave activity. There is no clear stratosphere-troposphere connection under QBOe, but under QBOw, there is a vertically coherent increase in wave power at wave numbers 1–3 with a period of 5.6–6.9 days. We suggest that the differences in response under QBOe and QBOw can be explained through differences in initial vortex strength, resulting in either a stronger influence from the low-latitude upper stratosphere (QBOe) or from the troposphere (QBOw) on the polar stratosphere.