A long-term comparison of mesopause region wind measurements over Eastern and Central Europe

Two very long data sets of mesopause region winds measured over Obninsk (55°N, 37°E) and Collm (52°N, 15°E) in the time interval 1973-2000 are compared. Measurements are carried out using a meteor radar at Obninsk and the LF D1 method at Collm. The meteor wind measurements over Obninsk were carried out without height resolution. The long-term means of both prevailing and tidal winds show good correspondence if a reference height of 90-92 km for Obninsk is assumed. The interannual and interdecadal variability of the prevailing winds is different over Collm and Obninsk. This is probably partly due to regional variations of the mesospheric/lower thermospheric wind field. The semidiurnal tidal amplitudes have decreased during the last 30 years over both Central and Eastern Europe, which is accompanied by a shift in the semidiurnal tidal phase.