An overview of the past, present and future of gravity-wave drag parametrization for numerical climate and weather prediction models - Survey article

An overview of the parametrization of gravity wave drag in numerical weather prediction and climate simulation models is presented. The focus is primarily on understanding the current status of gravity wave drag parametrization as a step towards the new parametrizations that will be needed for the next generation of atmospheric models. Both the early history and latest developments in the field are discussed. Parametrizations developed specifically for orographic and convective sources of gravity waves are described separately, as are newer parametrizations that collectively treat a spectrum of gravity wave motions. The differences in issues in and approaches for the parametrization of the lower and upper atmospheres are highlighted. Various emerging issues are also discussed, such as explicitly resolved gravity waves and gravity wave drag in models, and a range of unparametrized gravity wave processes that may need attention for the next generation of gravity wave drag parametrizations in models.