Evolution of stratospheric energy balance over the past 35 years

We examine the evolution of radiative heating and cooling in the stratosphere over the past 35 years using satellite data and reanalysis data from the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) project. Time series of radiative heating and cooling are constructed on pressure surfaces from 100 hPa to 0.1 hPa (~15 km to ~ 65 km). Time series of temperature, ozone, and water vapor are similarly constructed. The purpose is to investigate potential trends associated with the ~ 20% increase in atmospheric CO2 since the beginning of the satellite era in 1978. Observations from NASA satellites including Nimbus-7 LIMS, UARS, Aura, and TIMED are compared with the MERRA data. We also examine the time series for evidence of solar cycle variability in all parameters that may be evident particularly in the MERRA data given its long record length. The relationship between temperature, composition, and energetics is explored so as to more fully understand the response of the stratosphere to anthropogenic and natural forcings.