E. G. Merzlyakov*, Yu. I. Portnyagin*, N. A. Makarov*, J. M. Forbes**, and S. Palo**
* Taifun Research and Production Association, pr. Lenina 82, Obninsk, Kaluga oblast, 249020 Russia; e-mail:
Yportnyagin@typhoon.obninsk.org
** University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309 USA
Received September 30, 1998; in final form, December 29, 1998
Abstract—Meteor radar data for wind obtained at the Amundsen–Scott station (South Pole) in 1995–1996 and
the Molodezhnaya station (68° S) in 1990–1991 are analyzed with the emphasis on intradiurnal variations com-
mon to both stations. The strong variability of the observed wave variations is taken into account by using the
S-transform, and the times of initiation and lifetimes of these variations are estimated. It is shown that wind
variations at the Molodezhnaya station include periods identical to those characteristic of the South Pole. The
wave amplitudes at different latitudes are comparable in magnitude and exceed 15 m/s, the waves propagate to
the west, and their periods are close to the theoretical periods of characteristic oscillations of the ideal atmo-
sphere. This is evidence in favor of the suggestion that the waves observed are the atmospheric characteristic
modes of the type of Lamb waves.
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