Simulation of moist mountain waves with an anelastic model

A two-dimensional, nonlinear, time-dependent, non-hydrostatic, anelastic, numerical model is used to assess the effect of condensation on the evolution and structure of gravity waves generated by the passage of a stable, moist stream over topography. Precipation is ignored but water phase changes are taken into account explicitly. The main effect of condensation is to damp the wave intensity and to reduce the wave drag, which can be diminished by as much as 50% compared to its value in dry simulations. This result agrees with some earlier analytical models and some more recent fully compressible numerical models. This model also confirms that the presence of condensation delays the overturning of isentropes, and the formation of the critical layer that accompanies wave-breaking.