Gravity Wave Forcing, Interactions, and Variability in the MLT

Numerical studies of gravity wave breaking are revealing dramatic impacts on wave amplitudes, with amplitude reductions accompanying instability and turbulence far exceeding previous expectations. Theoretical studies likewise imply significant effects of strong local body forcing, while observational studies suggest occasionally strong forcing and considerable variability in both gravity wave activity and forcing of the large-scale flow. These effects are believed to be due to variable sources and to filtering by variable tidal and planetary wave motions. This talk will examine the likely impacts of these processes for wave forcing, wave interactions, and the parameterization of gravity wave effects throughout the MLT.