摘要： In the past years, global morphology and climatology of gravity waves have been widely studied and the effects of topography and convection systems have been evaluated, but the complete gravity wave distribution could not be explained by these effects. To find the missing controlling factors, a series of synoptic scale analyses is performed in the present study to investigate relationships between synoptic scale factors and potential energy (Ep) associated with gravity waves. Global distribution of Ep during a 12-year period from 2002 to 2013 is derived using temperature profiles retrieved from observations of Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument onboard the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. Synoptic scale factors obtained from ECMWF Interim reanalysis data are employed to investigate the correlation between synoptic systems and Ep. It is found that Ep values are high around extratropical cyclones over mid-latitudes (30–60°) and around the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over low-latitudes (10–30°). Ep values are low around subtropical highs over both mid- and low-latitudes. This is the first time that a synoptic scale analysis of Ep distribution is performed, and the influence of synoptic scale factors on Ep confirmed. •First attempt to correlate synoptic systems and Ep associated with gravity waves.•Extratropical cyclones heighten Ep values over mid-latitudes.•The ITCZ heightens Ep values over low-latitudes.•Subtropical highs lower Ep values over both mid- and low-latitudes. 出版者： Elsevier Ltd 出版日期： 2015-12 出處： Journal of atmospheric and solar-terrestrial physics, 2015-12, Vol.135, p.126-135 資源來源： Elsevier ScienceDirect Journals Complete 版權： 2015 Elsevier Ltd 識別號： ISSN: 1364-6826 識別號： EISSN: 1879-1824 識別號： DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2015.10.020
