Summary
Using the Davis (68°S, 78°E) lidar, several observing campaigns recently examined the small scale temperature structure and variability in the Antarctic winter upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Lidar measurements of N2 Raman backscatter were obtained over the altitude range of 8 – 20km with observation periods lasting up to 12 hours. Profiles of temperature were calculated from these lidar results with 1 hour temporal and 1km vertical resolution. By combining these temperatures with data from various satellites and other ground-based instruments, we discuss the changing UTLS temperature structure on short time and height scales; stratosphere – troposphere exchange of trace gases; evidence of a possible stratospheric intrusion and the gravity wave variability evident in the winter-time UTLS region