A Description of the Unified Gravity Wave Physics Package

Non-orographic, subgrid-scale gravity wave sources must also be parameterized to ensure realistic forecasts of winds in the middle atmosphere. These sources include deep convection, frontal instability, and stratified shear instability associated with the tropospheric jet. NOAA’s NWP models have integrated parameterizations for these non-stationary gravity wave drag effects. All of these drag-related impacts on the atmospheric flow are meant to be represented within a single physics parameterization suite for use in operational weather forecasting. This memorandum documents each component of the Unified Gravity Wave Physics (UGWP) Suite that is being developed within the framework of NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS).