Atmospheric Gravity Waves: Processes and Parameterization

Atmospheric predictability from subseasonal to seasonal time scales and climate variability are both influ-enced critically by gravity waves (GW). The quality of regional and global numerical models relies on thorough under-standing 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 theo-retical and numerical developments that promise to improve the situation. This review gives a survey of these develop-ments, discusses the present status of GW parameterizations, and formulates recommendations on how to proceed from there.