Propagation and Saturation of Nonlinear Inertia-Gravity Waves in the Atmosphere
Abstract
Inertia gravity waves play a significant role in the transport of momentum, heat, and constituents in the terrestrial atmosphere. This transport process is subgrid scale in general circulation models and must be parameterized. A generalized parameterization scheme is developed in which a gravity wave is subject to localized breaking that creates turbulent mixing and retards amplitude growth. The effect of turbulence localization on turbulent viscosity, diffusivity and mean flow acceleration is described for the convectively unstable case. Possible generalizations to Kelvin-Helmholtz breaking are suggested. Numerical simulations at high resolution illustrate the evolution to small scales characteristic of convective instability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA207871
Entities
People
- Timothy J. Dunkerton
Organizations
- Northwest Research Associates