Parametrization of momentum and energy depositions from gravity waves generated by tropospheric hydrodynamic sources

Nikolai M. Gavrilov (1)

1 Department of Atmospheric Physics [St Petersburg]

The mechanism of generation of internal gravity waves (IGW) by mesoscale turbulence in the troposphere is considered. The equations that describe the generation of waves by hydrodynamic sources of momentum, heat and mass are derived. Calculations of amplitudes, wave energy fluxes, turbulent viscosities, and accelerations of the mean flow caused by IGWs generated in the troposphere are made. A comparison of different mechanisms of turbulence production in the atmosphere by IGWs shows that the nonlinear destruction of a primary IGW into a spectrum of secondary waves may provide additional dissipation of nonsaturated stable waves. The mean wind increases both the effectiveness of generation and dissipation of IGWs propagating in the direction of the wind. Competition of both effects may lead to the dominance of IGWs propagating upstream at long distances from tropospheric wave sources, and to the formation of eastward wave accelerations in summer and westward accelerations in winter near the mesopause.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

Nikolai M. Gavrilov. Parametrization of momentum and energy depositions from gravity waves generated by tropospheric hydrodynamic sources. Annales Geophysicae, 1997, 15 (12), pp.1570-1580. ⟨hal-00316518⟩