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Information on stratospheric winds in meteorological analyses comes primarily from temperature information from nadir-viewing satellite instruments, which is of little use in the tropics. The quality of stratospheric winds in analyses is not really known, but transport schemes driven by analysed winds in the stratosphere appear to be far too diffusive in the tropics and subtropics. This limits scientific understanding of such questions as the distribution of age of air in the lower stratosphere (and thus, for example, the impact of short-lived CFC replacements). There are several upcoming satellite missions which promise to change our knowledge of stratospheric winds. ADM will measure one component of tropospheric winds, and may have its upper altitude limit raised from 20 km to 30 km. The proposed SWIFT instrument would measure vector winds from 20-50
km. It is thus timely to assess the current state of knowledge of stratospheric winds, and the science questions that could be addressed with new observations.

This workshop (which will be held in conjunction with the SPARC Data Assimilation Workshop, with one day of overlap), will (i) assess the current state of knowledge of stratospheric winds; (ii) discuss the potential science questions that require better information concerning stratospheric winds; and (iii) estimate measurement requirements to address those science goals. The format will consist of oral (and possibly poster) presentations and structured discussion sessions. The specific program will be developed based on the
expected participants.

There will be no registration fee. However, participants will pay a daily fee of $203 CDN which covers accommodation, all meals, taxes and gratuities. There may be a small meeting fee to cover coffee breaks and, possibly, a banquet. Note that $1 CDN = $0.85 US = $0.65 EURO, approximately.

The workshop will be held at the Banff Centre in Banff, Canada, which is about a 90 minute drive from Calgary. There are non-stop flights to Calgary from many US airports as well as London and Frankfurt.

Ted Shepherd, University of Toronto
Convener