Abstract

Much of our understanding of tropospheric dynamics is based on the concept of discrete internal modes. Internal gravity waves, such as those associated with convective systems, propagate at definite speeds, typically associated with the first to third baroclinic vertical modes. These waves are the dynamical backbone of the tropospheric dynamics, even though their nature and speed can be altered significantly by nonlinearity, moist convection, mean wind shear, etc. These discrete modes are a signature of systems of finite extent, and are derived in a case when the atmosphere is bounded above by a rigid lid. In reality, the atmosphere does not have a definite top, and, some argue, should be modeled as semi-infinite, leading to a continuous spectrum. Are the discrete rigid lid modes then just a fallacy of overly simplified theoretical models? We present a correction to the rigid lid by using a boundary condition at the top of the troposphere, that allows for a fraction of waves to escape to the stratosphere. The new discrete ``leaky modes decay with characteristic time-scales, which are in the ballpark of many atmospheric phenomena. We present both the non-rotating and rotating cases.