Gravity Wave Sources and Parameterization

重力波被认为影响大气环流，温度和混合过程的水平范围从对流层通过中层以上。 然而，它们的尺度太小，无法在大气环流模式（GCM）中解决，必须通过参数化处理。 也就是说，它们的影响必须近似描述，才能纳入大规模模型。 该研究计划旨在量化重力波的性质，并确定其来源，地理和季节变化及其对大气的影响。 目标是改进在大气环流模型中确定其影响参数的方法。 该方法侧重于分析ER-2平流层飞机的观测结果，以获得与重力波有关的动量通量和温度扰动的信息。 这些信息被用来定义重力波的详细属性，并测试波生成的理论模型。 计划与诺阿地球物理流体动力学实验室和美国航天局戈达德航天飞行中心的研究人员合作，将重力波效应纳入大气环流模型。

Gravity waves are believed to affect the atmospheric circulation, temperature, and mixing processes at levels ranging from the troposphere through the mesosphere and above. However, they are too small in scale to be resolved in general circulation models (GCMs) and must be treated via parameterization. That is, their effects must be described approximately for inclusion in large-scale models. This research program aims to quantify the properties of gravity waves and determine their sources, their geographic and seasonal variations, and their effects on the atmosphere. The goal is to improve the ways of parameterizing their effects in GCMs. The approach focuses on analysis of observations from the ER-2 stratospheric aircraft to derive information on the momentum flux and the temperature perturbations associated with gravity waves. This information is used to define the detailed properties of gravity waves and to test theoretical models of wave generation. Collaboration on including gravity wave effects in GCMs is planned with researchers at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.