Gravity Wave Dynamics Research Articles

Solitary wave solutions of the time fractional Benjamin Bona Mahony Burger equation

The present study examines the approximate solutions of the time fractional Benjamin Bona Mahony Burger equation. This equation is critical for characterizing the dynamics of water waves and fluid acoustic gravity waves, as well as explaining the unidirectional propagation of long waves in nonlinear dispersive systems. This equation also describes cold plasma for hydromagnetic and audio waves in harmonic crystals. The natural transform decomposition method is used to obtain the analytical solution to the time fractional Benjamin Bona Mahony Burger equation. The proposed method uses the Caputo, Caputo Fabrizio, and Atangana Baleanu Caputo derivatives to describe the fractional derivative. We utilize a numerical example with appropriate initial conditions to assess the correctness of our findings. The results of the proposed method are compared to those of the exact solution and various existing techniques, such as the fractional homotopy analysis transform method and the homotopy perturbation transform technique. As a result, bell shaped solitons are discovered under the influence of hyperbolic functions. By comparing the outcomes with tables and graphs, the findings demonstrate the efficacy and effectiveness of the suggested approach.

Atmospheric and Ionospheric Responses to Orographic Gravity Waves Prior to the December 2022 Cold Air Outbreak

AbstractMountain waves are known sources of fluctuations in the upper atmosphere. However, their effects over the Continental United States (CONUS) are considered modest as compared to hot spots such as the Southern Andes. Here, we present an observation‐guided case study examining the dynamics of gravity waves (GWs) and their impacts on the ionosphere over the CONUS prior to the cold air outbreak in December 2022, which resulted from a significant distortion of the tropospheric polar vortex. The investigation relies on MERRA‐2 and ERA5 reanalysis data sets for the climatological contextualization, analysis of GWs based on National Aeronautics and Space Administration Aqua satellite's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, 557.7 and 630.0 nm airglow emission observations, and the measurements of ionospheric disturbances retrieved from Global Navigation Satellite System signal‐based total electron content (TEC) and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network observations. We demonstrate that the tropospheric polar jet stream shifted toward the Rocky Mountains, generated large amplitude GWs (up to 11 K of brightness temperature), which, aided by winter‐time winds over mid‐latitudes, could propagate to mesospheric heights. The breaking of GWs plausibly led to the generation of a plethora of secondary acoustic and GWs that eventually emerged as the sources of extensive ionospheric fluctuations of ∼3–30 min periods and up to 0.7 TECu, observed across the entire CONUS for several days. This case offers a valuable demonstration of the interplay between tropospheric circulation and the ionosphere over CONUS, pointing to the need for a better understanding of wave‐driven deep‐atmosphere coupled dynamics.

Atmospheric Gravity Waves: Processes and Parameterization

Abstract Atmospheric predictability from subseasonal to seasonal time scales and climate variability are both influenced critically by gravity waves (GW). The quality of regional and global numerical models relies on thorough understanding of GW dynamics and its interplay with chemistry, precipitation, clouds, and climate across many scales. For the foreseeable future, GWs and many other relevant processes will remain partly unresolved, and models will continue to rely on parameterizations. Recent model intercomparisons and studies show that present-day GW parameterizations do not accurately represent GW processes. These shortcomings introduce uncertainties, among others, in predicting the effects of climate change on important modes of variability. However, the last decade has produced new data and advances in theoretical and numerical developments that promise to improve the situation. This review gives a survey of these developments, discusses the present status of GW parameterizations, and formulates recommendations on how to proceed from there.

An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project

An investigation on the wind profiles and gravity wave dynamics in MLT region based on the meteor radars from the Meridian Project

Mathematical Modeling of Dynamics of Internal Gravity Waves in the Ocean with Arbitrary Distribution of Buoyancy Frequency

Mathematical Modeling of Dynamics of Internal Gravity Waves in the Ocean with Arbitrary Distribution of Buoyancy Frequency

Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability “Tube” and “Knot” Dynamics. Part II: KHI T&K Dynamics in a Multiscale Gravity Wave Direct Numerical Simulation

Abstract A companion paper by Fritts et al. reviews evidence for Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) “tube” and “knot” (T&K) dynamics that appear to be widespread throughout the atmosphere. Here we describe the results of an idealized direct numerical simulation of multiscale gravity wave dynamics that reveals multiple larger- and smaller-scale KHI T&K events. The results enable assessments of the environments in which these dynamics arise and their competition with concurrent gravity wave breaking in driving turbulence and energy dissipation. A larger-scale event is diagnosed in detail and reveals diverse and intense T&K dynamics driving more intense turbulence than occurs due to gravity wave breaking in the same environment. Smaller-scale events reveal that KHI T&K dynamics readily extend to weaker, smaller-scale, and increasingly viscous shear flows. Our results suggest that KHI T&K dynamics should be widespread, perhaps ubiquitous, wherever superposed gravity waves induce intensifying shear layers, because such layers are virtually always present. A second companion paper demonstrates that KHI T&K dynamics exhibit elevated turbulence generation and energy dissipation rates extending to smaller Reynolds numbers for relevant KHI scales wherever they arise. These dynamics are suggested to be significant sources of turbulence and mixing throughout the atmosphere that are currently ignored or underrepresented in turbulence parameterizations in regional and global models. Significance Statement Atmospheric observations reveal that Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities (KHI) often exhibit complex interactions described as “tube” and “knot” (T&K) dynamics in the presence of larger-scale gravity waves (GWs). These dynamics may prove to make significant contributions to energy dissipation and mixing that are not presently accounted for in large-scale modeling and weather prediction. We explore here the occurrence of KHI T&K dynamics in an idealized model that describes their behavior and character arising at larger and smaller scales due to superposed, large-amplitude GWs. The results reveal that KHI T&K dynamics arise at larger and smaller scales, and that their turbulence intensities can be comparable to those of the GWs.

3D hydrodynamic simulations of massive main-sequence stars – I. Dynamics and mixing of convection and internal gravity waves

ABSTRACT We performed 3D hydrodynamic simulations of the inner $\approx 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ radial extent of a $25\,\,\mathrm{\mathrm{M}_\odot }$ star in the early phase of the main sequence and investigate core convection and internal gravity waves in the core-envelope boundary region. Simulations for different grid resolutions and driving luminosities establish scaling relations to constrain models of mixing for 1D applications. As in previous works, the turbulent mass entrainment rate extrapolated to nominal heating is unrealistically high ($1.58\times 10^{-4}\,\,\mathrm{\mathrm{M}_\odot \, {\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}}$), which is discussed in terms of the non-equilibrium response of the simulations to the initial stratification. We measure quantitatively the effect of mixing due to internal gravity waves excited by core convection interacting with the boundary in our simulations. The wave power spectral density as a function of frequency and wavelength agrees well with the GYRE eigenmode predictions based on the 1D spherically averaged radial profile. A diffusion coefficient profile that reproduces the spherically averaged abundance distribution evolution is determined for each simulation. Through a combination of eigenmode analysis and scaling relations it is shown that in the N2-peak region, mixing is due to internal gravity waves and follows the scaling relation DIGW-hydro ∝ L4/3 over a $\gtrapprox 2\,\,\mathrm{\mathrm{dex}}$ range of heating factors. Different extrapolations of the mixing efficiency down to nominal heating are discussed. If internal gravity wave mixing is due to thermally enhanced shear mixing, an upper limit is $D_\mathrm{IGW}\lessapprox 2$ to $3\times 10^{4}\,\,\mathrm{cm^2\, s^{-1}}$ at nominal heating in the N2-peak region above the convective core.

Deep Kernel Dictionary Learning for detection of wave breaking features in Atmospheric Gravity Waves

Atmospheric Gravity Waves play a significant role in the Middle Atmosphere Dynamics and breaking of Gravity Waves leads to turbulence. To confirm the breaking of Atmospheric Gravity Waves, we require Wind Velocity profiles with high accuracy and the problem in the existing scenario is the Wind velocity measuring instruments are not accurate at the altitude of interest and are very sparse. We came up with a solution by taking advantage of Dictionary Learning and Deep Learning approach for the detection of the Wave Breaking events from atmospheric temperature perturbations instead of looking for wind velocity profiles.In the present work, we discuss incorporating Kernels into Deep Dictionary Learning. The Deep Dictionary Learning algorithm, introduced recently, shows an improvement in feature detection in comparison to k-means Singular Value Decomposition (KSVD) Dictionary Learning, Convolution Neural Network, and LSTM Auto-Encoders. Incorporating Kernels into Deep Dictionary Learning increases the effectiveness of the detection of the Wave Breaking events. The potential of the proposed method is demonstrated with a case study on the detection of atmospheric Gravity Wave Breaking event leading to turbulence in the atmosphere using satellite data (Aura-Microwave Limb Sounder) and is validated using data available from the ground-based instruments.

Intense Surface Winds from Gravity Wave Breaking in Simulations of a Destructive Macroburst

Abstract Shortly after 0600 UTC (midnight local time) 9 June 2020, a convective line produced severe winds across parts of northeast Colorado that caused extensive damage, especially in the town of Akron. High-resolution observations showed gusts exceeding 50 m s−1, accompanied by extremely large pressure fluctuations, including a 5-hPa pressure surge in 19 s immediately following the strongest winds and a 15-hPa pressure drop in the following 3 min. Numerical simulations of this event (using the WRF Model) and with horizontally homogeneous initial conditions (using Cloud Model 1) reveal that the severe winds in this event were associated with gravity wave dynamics. In a very stable postfrontal environment, elevated convection initiated and led to a long-lived gravity wave. Strong low-level vertical wind shear supported the amplification and eventual breaking of this wave, resulting in at least two sequential strong downbursts. This wave-breaking mechanism is different from the usual downburst mechanism associated with negative buoyancy resulting from latent cooling. The model output reproduces key features of the high-resolution observations, including similar convective structures, large temperature and pressure fluctuations, and intense near-surface wind speeds. The findings of this study reveal a series of previously unexplored mesoscale and storm-scale processes that can result in destructive winds. Significance Statement Downbursts of intense wind can produce significant damage, as was the case on 9 June 2020 in Akron, Colorado. Past research on downbursts has shown that they occur when raindrops, graupel, and hail in thunderstorms evaporate and melt, cooling the air and causing it to sink rapidly. In this research, we used numerical models of the atmosphere, along with high-resolution observations, to show that the Akron downburst was different. Unlike typical lines of thunderstorms, those responsible for the Akron macroburst produced a wave in the atmosphere, which broke, resulting in rapidly sinking air and severe surface winds.

Analysis of nonlinear water wave interaction solutions and energy exchange between different wave modes

In this study, we consider the ideal fluid model of an inviscid fluid, assuming that the fluid motion is adiabatic; the flow is irrotational, that is, the individual fluid particles do not rotate; vorticity ω̃=0; and the flow is incompressible, in which the density of fluid particles does not vary significantly with fluid motion and can be considered constant throughout the fluid volume and throughout the motion. We start with equations representing continuity, conservation of momentum, conservation of entropy, and streamline equations, respectively. It is then reduced to a standard system of equations describing motion in two dimensions, defined by the Laplace equation with appropriate kinematic and dynamic boundary conditions, in terms of velocity potential and surface elevation. Finally, the one-dimensional nonlinear Korteweg–De Vries (KdV) equation is derived. Then, we further investigate the interaction of multiple periodic waves using the KdV equation and explain the interaction wave energy transfer procedure between the primary and higher order harmonics, and the Phillips [“On the dynamics of unsteady gravity waves of finite amplitude. I. The elementary interactions,” J. Fluid Mech. 9, 193–217 (1960)] wave resonance criterion is employed for capturing the periodic wave interaction whose energy conversion is analyzed via Fourier spectra. It is also found that for solitons, multiple collisions of different solitons eventually regain their original shape and that higher-energy solitons have faster velocities than lower-energy solitons, which, to the best of our knowledge, is overlooked.

The role of Lagrangian drift in the geometry, kinematics and dynamics of surface waves

The role of the Lagrangian mean flow, or drift, in modulating the geometry, kinematics and dynamics of rotational and irrotational deep-water surface gravity waves is examined. A general theory for permanent progressive waves on an arbitrary vertically sheared steady Lagrangian mean flow is derived in the Lagrangian reference frame and mapped to the Eulerian frame. A Lagrangian viewpoint offers tremendous flexibility due to the particle labelling freedom and allows us to reveal how key physical wave behaviour arises from a kinematic constraint on the vorticity of the fluid, inter alia the nonlinear correction to the phase speed of irrotational finite amplitude waves, the free surface geometry and velocity in the Eulerian frame, and the connection between the Lagrangian drift and the Benjamin–Feir instability. To complement and illustrate our theory, a small laboratory experiment demonstrates how a specially tailored sheared mean flow can almost completely attenuate the Benjamin–Feir instability, in qualitative agreement with the theory. The application of these results to problems in remote sensing and ocean wave modelling is discussed. We provide an answer to a long-standing question: remote sensing techniques based on observing current-induced shifts in the wave dispersion will measure the Lagrangian, not the Eulerian, mean current.

Numerical simulation of solitary gravity waves on deep water with constant vorticity

We present a numerical study of essentially nonlinear dynamics of surface gravity waves on deep water with constant vorticity using governing equations in conformal coordinates. The dispersion relation of surface gravity waves on shear flow is known to have two branches; one of which is weakly dispersive for long waves. Weakly nonlinear evolution of the waves of this branch can be described by the Benjamin–Ono equation, which is integrable and has soliton and multi-soliton solutions. Currently, the extent to which the properties of such solitary waves obtained within the weakly nonlinear model are preserved in the exact Euler equations is unknown. We investigate the behavior of this class of solitary waves without the restrictive assumption of weak nonlinearity by using the exact Euler equations. The evolution of localized initial perturbations leading to the formation of single or multiple solitary waves is modeled, and the properties of finite-amplitude solitary waves are discussed. We show that within the framework of the exact equations, two-soliton collisions are almost elastic, but in contrast to solutions of the Benjamin–Ono equation, the waves receive a phase shift as a result of the interaction.

Modeling Studies of Gravity Wave Dynamics in Highly Structured Environments: Reflection, Trapping, Instability, Momentum Transport, Secondary Gravity Waves, and Induced Flow Responses.

A compressible numerical model is applied for three‐dimensional (3‐D) gravity wave (GW) packets undergoing momentum deposition, self‐acceleration (SA), breaking, and secondary GW (SGW) generation in the presence of highly‐structured environments enabling thermal and/or Doppler ducts, such as a mesospheric inversion layer (MIL), tidal wind (TW), or combination of MIL and TW. Simulations reveal that ducts can strongly modulate GW dynamics. Responses modeled here include reflection, trapping, suppressed transmission, strong local instabilities, reduced SGW generations, higher altitude SGW responses, and induced large‐scale flows. Instabilities that arise in ducts experience strong dissipation after they emerge, while trapped smaller‐amplitude and smaller‐scale GWs can survive in ducts to much later times. Additionally, GW breaking and its associated dynamics enhance the local wind along the GW propagation direction in the ducts, and yield layering in the wind field. However, these dynamics do not yield significant heat transport in the ducts. The failure of GW breaking to induce stratified layers in the temperature field suggests that such heat transport might not be as strong as previously assumed or inferred from observations and theoretical assessments. The present numerical simulations confirm previous finding that MIL generation may not be caused by the breaking of a transient high‐frequency GW packet alone.

Impacts of Limited Model Resolution on the Representation of Mountain Wave and Secondary Gravity Wave Dynamics in Local and Global Models. 1: Mountain Waves in the Stratosphere and Mesosphere

AbstractLong‐term efforts have sought to extend global model resolution to smaller scales enabling more accurate descriptions of gravity wave (GW) sources and responses, given their major roles in coupling and variability throughout the atmosphere. Such studies reveal significant improvements accompanying increasing resolution, but no guidance on what is sufficient to approximate reality. We take the opposite approach, using a finite‐volume model solving the Navier‐Stokes equations exactly. The reference simulation addresses mountain wave (MW) generation and responses over the Southern Andes described using isotropic 500 m, central resolution by Fritts et al. (2021), https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-20-0207.1 and Lund et al. (2020), https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-19-0356.1. Reductions of horizontal resolution to 1 and 2 km result in (a) systematic increases in initial MW breaking altitudes, (b) weaker, larger‐scale generation of secondary GWs and acoustic waves accompanying these dynamics, and (c) significantly weaker and less extended responses in the mesosphere in latitude and longitude. Horizontal resolution of 4 km largely suppresses instabilities, but allows weak, sustained mean‐flow interactions. Responses for 8 km resolution are very weak and fail to capture any aspects of the high‐resolution responses. The chosen mean winds allow efficient MW penetration into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, hence only exhibit strong pseudo‐momentum deposition and mean wind decelerations at higher altitudes. A companion paper by Fritts et al. (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD036035 explores the impacts of decreasing resolution on responses in the thermosphere.

Atmospheric tomography using the Nordic Meteor Radar Cluster and Chilean Observation Network De Meteor Radars: network details and 3D-Var retrieval

Abstract. Ground-based remote sensing of atmospheric parameters is often limited to single station observations by vertical profiles at a certain geographic location. This is a limiting factor for investigating gravity wave dynamics as the spatial information is often missing, e.g., horizontal wavelength, propagation direction or intrinsic frequency. In this study, we present a new retrieval algorithm for multistatic meteor radar networks to obtain tomographic 3-D wind fields within a pre-defined domain area. The algorithm is part of the Agile Software for Gravity wAve Regional Dynamics (ASGARD) and called 3D-Var, and based on the optimal estimation technique and Bayesian statistics. The performance of the 3D-Var retrieval is demonstrated using two meteor radar networks: the Nordic Meteor Radar Cluster and the Chilean Observation Network De Meteor Radars (CONDOR). The optimal estimation implementation provide statistically sound solutions and diagnostics from the averaging kernels and measurement response. We present initial scientific results such as body forces of breaking gravity waves leading to two counter-rotating vortices and horizontal wavelength spectra indicating a transition between the rotational k−3 and divergent k-5/3 mode at scales of 80–120 km. In addition, we performed a keogram analysis over extended periods to reflect the latitudinal and temporal impact of a minor sudden stratospheric warming in December 2019. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of the 3D-Var algorithm to perform large-scale retrievals to derive meteorological wind maps covering a latitude region from Svalbard, north of the European Arctic mainland, to central Norway.

Interaction Between Stratospheric Kelvin Waves and Gravity Waves in the Easterly QBO Phase

AbstractA general circulation model is used to study the interaction between parameterized gravity waves (GWs) and large‐scale Kelvin waves in the tropical stratosphere. The simulation shows that Kelvin waves with substantial amplitudes (∼10 m s−1) can significantly affect the distribution of GW drag by modulating the local shear. Furthermore, this effect is localized to regions above strong convective organizations that generate large‐amplitude GWs, so that at a given altitude it occurs selectively in a certain phase of Kelvin waves. Accordingly, this effect also contributes to the zonal‐mean GW drag, which is large in the middle stratosphere during the phase transition of the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO). Furthermore, we detect an enhancement of Kelvin‐wave momentum flux due to GW drag modulated by Kelvin waves. The result implies an importance of GW dynamics coupled to Kelvin waves in the QBO progression.

Dynamics and Transformation of Sea Surface Gravity Waves at the Shelf of Decreasing Depth

This paper reviews the results of the processing of synchronized data on hydrosphere pressure variations and the Earth’s crust deformation in the microseismic range (5–15 s), obtained over the course of numerous experiments, using a coastal laser strainmeter and laser meters of hydrosphere pressure variations installed in various points of the Sea of Japan shelf. Interpreting the results, we have discovered new regularities in the dynamics of surface progressive gravity waves, and their transformation into primary microseisms, when waves move at the shelf of decreasing depth. For example, we found non-isochronous behavior of progressive waves, which manifests itself in a decrease in the periods of gravity waves due to the transformation of a part of their energy into the energy of primary microseisms. Furthermore, when processing the synchronous fragments of the records, made by laser strainmeters and laser meters of hydrosphere pressure variations, we identified approximate zones of the most effective transformation of the energy of gravity progressive waves into the energy of primary microseisms, which start from the depth of less than a half-wavelength and stretch to the surf zone.

Phase Structure of Internal Gravity Waves in the Ocean with Shear Flows

Purpose. The description of the internal gravity waves dynamics in the ocean with background fields of shear currents is a very difficult problem even in the linear approximation. The mathematical problem describing wave dynamics is reduced to the analysis of a system of partial differential equations; and while taking into account the vertical and horizontal inhomogeneity, this system of equations does not allow separation of the variables. Application of various approximations makes it possible to construct analytical solutions for the model distributions of buoyancy frequency and background shear ocean currents. The work is aimed at studying dynamics of internal gravity waves in the ocean with the arbitrary and model distributions of density and background shear currents. Methods and Results. The paper represents the numerical and analytical solutions describing the main phase characteristics of the internal gravity wave fields in the stratified ocean of finite depth, both for arbitrary and model distributions of the buoyancy frequency and the background shear currents. The currents are considered to be stationary and horizontally homogeneous on the assumption that the scale of the currents' horizontal and temporal variability is much larger than the characteristic lengths and periods of internal gravity waves. Having been used, the Fourier method permitted to obtain integral representations of the solutions under the Miles – Howard stability condition is fulfilled. To solve the vertical spectral problem, proposed is the algorithm for calculating the main dispersion dependences that determine the phase characteristics of the generated wave fields. The calculations for one real distribution of buoyancy frequency and shear flow profile are represented. Transformation of the dispersion surfaces and phase structures of the internal gravitational waves’ fields is studied depending on the generation parameters. To solve the problem analytically, constant distribution of the buoyancy frequency and linear dependences of the background shear current on depth were used. For the model distribution of the buoyancy and shear flow frequencies, the explicit analytical expressions describing the solutions of the vertical spectral problem were derived. The numerical and asymptotic solutions for the characteristic oceanic parameters were compared. Conclusions. The obtained results show that the asymptotic constructions using the model dependences of the buoyancy frequency and the background shear velocities’ distribution, describe the numerical solutions of the vertical spectral problem to a good degree of accuracy. The model representations, having been applied for hydrological parameters, make it possible to describe qualitatively correctly the main characteristics of internal gravity waves in the ocean with the arbitrary background shear currents.

Fazovyye kharakteristiki poley vnutrennikh gravitatsionnykh voln v okeane so sdvigom skorosti techeniy

Purpose. The description of the internal gravity waves dynamics in the ocean with background fields of shear currents is a very difficult problem even in the linear approximation. The mathematical problem describing wave dynamics is reduced to the analysis of a system of partial differential equations; and while taking into account the vertical and horizontal inhomogeneity, this system of equations does not allow separation of the variables. Application of various approximations makes it possible to construct analytical solutions for the model distributions of buoyancy frequency and background shear ocean currents. The work is aimed at studying dynamics of internal gravity waves in the ocean with the arbitrary and model distributions of density and background shear currents. Methods and Results. The paper represents the numerical and analytical solutions describing the main phase characteristics of the internal gravity wave fields in the stratified ocean of finite depth, both for arbitrary and model distributions of the buoyancy frequency and the background shear currents. The currents are considered to be stationary and horizontally homogeneous on the assumption that the scale of the currents' horizontal and temporal variability is much larger than the characteristic lengths and periods of internal gravity waves. Having been used, the Fourier method permitted to obtain integral representations of the solutions under the Miles – Howard stability condition is fulfilled. To solve the vertical spectral problem, proposed is the algorithm for calculating the main dispersion dependences that determine the phase characteristics of the generated wave fields. The calculations for one real distribution of buoyancy frequency and shear flow profile are represented. Transformation of the dispersion surfaces and phase structures of the internal gravitational waves’ fields is studied depending on the generation parameters. To solve the problem analytically, constant distribution of the buoyancy frequency and linear dependences of the background shear current on depth were used. For the model distribution of the buoyancy and shear flow frequencies, the explicit analytical expressions describing the solutions of the vertical spectral problem were derived. The numerical and asymptotic solutions for the characteristic oceanic parameters were compared. Conclusions. The obtained results show that the asymptotic constructions using the model dependences of the buoyancy frequency and the background shear velocities’ distribution, describe the numerical solutions of the vertical spectral problem to a good degree of accuracy. The model representations, having been applied for hydrological parameters, make it possible to describe qualitatively correctly the main characteristics of internal gravity waves in the ocean with the arbitrary background shear currents.

Modeling Responses of Polar Mesospheric Clouds to Gravity Wave and Instability Dynamics and Induced Large‐Scale Motions

AbstractA gravity wave (GW) model that includes influences of temperature variations and large‐scale advection on polar mesospheric cloud (PMC) brightness having variable dependence on particle radius is developed. This Complex Geometry Compressible Atmosphere Model for PMCs (CGCAM‐PMC) is described and applied here for three‐dimensional (3‐D) GW packets undergoing self‐acceleration (SA) dynamics, breaking, momentum deposition, and secondary GW (SGW) generation below and at PMC altitudes. Results reveal that GW packets exhibiting strong SA and instability dynamics can induce significant PMC advection and large‐scale transport, and cause partial or total PMC sublimation. Responses modeled include PMC signatures of GW propagation and SA dynamics, “voids” having diameters of ∼500–1,200 km, and “fronts” with horizontal extents of ∼400–800 km. A number of these features closely resemble PMC imaging by the Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) instrument aboard the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite. Specifically, initial CGCAM‐PMC results closely approximate various CIPS images of large voids surrounded by smaller void(s) for which dynamical explanations have not been offered to date. In these cases, the GW and instabilities dynamics of the initial GW packet are responsible for formation of the large void. The smaller void(s) at the trailing edge of a large void is (are) linked to the lower‐ or higher‐altitude SGW generation and primary mean‐flow forcing. We expect an important benefit of such modeling to be the ability to infer local forcing of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) over significant depths when CGCAM‐PMC modeling is able to reasonably replicate PMC responses.