Parameterization of gravity wave momentum deposition based on nonlinear wave interactions: basic formulation and sensitivity tests

We present a practical method for parameterization of gravity wave drag based on the Medvedev and Klaassen (1995. Journal of Geophysical Research 100, 25,841–25,853) theory of gravity wave spectral evolution and saturation. The only tuning necessary for the scheme involves assumptions about the nature of the source spectrum of subgrid-scale gravity waves, i.e. the wavenumbers, launch heights and amplitudes of the spectral components. In this paper we employ a column model with representative distributions of mean wind and temperature to examine the sensitivity of the parameterized wave drag to the source spectra. For the range of anticipated variability of source spectra in the troposphere the scheme produces plausible results consistent with observations and with theoretical estimates. Computationally, the scheme is as efficient as a multiple-wave Lindzen scheme, and suitable for use in general circulation models (GCMs) of the atmosphere.