Internal-Wave Modeling

Internal waves are always present in the atmosphere and are found on a variety of space and time scales. Internal waves, and their dissipation, play an especially critical role in the mixing and circulation of the middle atmosphere (i.e. the stratosphere and mesosphere). The broad aim of our work in this area is to understand the processes that influence the propagation and eventual dissipation of internal waves.

We have designed ray-tracing models, complete with wave-amplitude prediction and caustic correction, to follow the development of internal waves from their most energetic sources in the troposphere (e.g. flow over mountains, instability of the jet stream, vertical motions in storm clouds) to their dissipation in the upper troposphere and throughout the middle atmosphere. The following publication by Dr. David Broutman of CPI and colleagues provides a description of one of the models:

Broutman, D., J. W. Rottman, and S. D. Eckermann, A simplified Fourier method for non-hydrostatic mountain waves. J. Atmos. Sci., 60, 2686-2696, 2003.

Ongoing work, in conjunction with the Naval Research Laboratory, is directed at the improved forecasting of mountain waves and associated turbulence, for purposes of both basic science and aviation safety.