Small scale fluctuations in lidar observations of a noctilucent cloud

Abstract

We present results from the CORAL lidar at GERES station in the Bavarian Forest, Germany. On 18/19 July 2016, very cold air was transported from polar latitudes towards the observation site at mesospheric altitudes. It carried tiny ice particles called noctilucent clouds (NLC) which result in a very strong lidar signal. We combine atmospheric temperature soundings obtained during this event with NLC backscatter measurements. The thin NLC layer is subjected to altitude and brightness variations ranging from few minutes to one hour. We relate these variations to gravity wave structures inferred from temperature measurements.