The altitude dependence of wind velocity in the earth's atmosphere

The characteristics of the wind velocity at various altitudes were investigated using different methods. Radar observations of meteor trail drifts were used to determine the altitude characteristics of the wind speed at 80-100 km altitudes, while at 100-130 km altitudes the measurement of the drift velocity of ionospheric inhomogeneities was employed. Results show that a single thermal mechanism of wind motion occurs at altitudes of 20-130 km. Below this altitude, this pattern does not take place due to the presence of water vapor and carbon dioxide, which absorb infrared radiation from the surface and, thus, strongly varies from place to place. Above 130 km, the effect of the earth's magnetic field has to be taken into account.