Intermittency of gravity wave potential energies and absolute momentum fluxes derived from infrared limb sounding satellite observations

Atmospheric gravity waves contribute significantly to the driving of the global atmospheric circulation. Because of their small spatial scales, their effect on the circulation is usually parameterized in general circulation models. These parameterizations, however, are strongly simplified. One important but often neglected characteristic of the gravity wave distribution is the fact that gravity wave sources and, thus, the global distribution of gravity waves are both very intermittent. Therefore, time series of global observations of gravity waves are needed to study the distribution, seasonal variation, and strength of this effect.