A Gravity Wave-Driven Toy Model to Study Convective Organization

The interaction between convection and geophysical flows is an open dynamic area of
research. Organized convection plays a critical role in driving extreme weather events such as
thunderstorms and tropical cyclones, with far-reaching implications for lives and livelihoods.
In this study, we present a gravity wave-driven toy model to mimic the feedback mechanisms
that evolve into convective aggregation.
Our model is based on the framework of convection-generated atmospheric oscillations.
A convective ”kick” initiates gravity waves, which subsequently interact with one another.
When these oscillations constructively interfere and reach a critical amplitude, they provide
an additional convective boost. This enhanced convection, in turn, generates new oscilla-
tions, perpetuating the feedback cycle. The interplay of these processes is proposed as a
mechanism of self-organization of tropical convection. Boussinesq equations in the absence
of Earth’s rotation are used. Convection is modeled as a triggered function (Dirac Delta).
Preliminary results suggest that the interaction between convection and atmospheric os-
cillations can give rise to a feedback mechanism that can reproduce a behavior qualitatively
similar to convective self-organization. This approach opens avenues for future investigations
into the role of gravity waves in modulating large-scale atmospheric patterns and extreme
weather phenomena.
Keywords: Convective Organization, Convectively Coupled Gravity Waves, Triggered Con-
vection