On the Mean Wind Induced by Internal Gravity Wave Packets in the Atmosphere

Abstract

Using a two-scale method, the mean wind induced by a slowly varying internal gravity wave packet on the spherical earth is treated. An analysis shows that the induced mean winds have a net mean zonal momentum only in the latitudes where the wave packet exists. The net mean zonal momentum is transferred to the mean field in the presence of dissipation. Results of numerical calculations show that, if the selective transmission of internal gravity waves occurs, internal gravity wave packets play an important role in the momentum budget in the upper mesosphere as presented by Lindzen (1981) and Matsuno (1982).