A Surface to Exosphere Non-Orographic Gravity Wave Parameterization for the Mars Planetary Climate Model

In this paper, the non-orographic gravity waves (GW) parameterization of the Mars Planetary Climate Model (PCM) previously implemented by Gilli et al. (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JE005873) is revisited and extended to the exobase (similar to 250 km). The simulations performed with the new scheme correct some known biases in the modeled thermal tide amplitudes and polar warming, improving the agreement with Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) observed thermal structures and tides below similar to 100 km. Additionally, we find that the simulated densities above 150 km are compatible with NGIMS (Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer) measured abundances. Large drag depositions ranging up to >similar to 950 m s(-1) sol(-1) are induced at altitude of 90-170 km due to the wave saturation (breaking) and depletion, leading to winds damped to magnitudes of similar to 150-225 and similar to 80 m s(-1) in the zonal and meridional directions, respectively. Resulting temperature variations are similar to +/- 10-30 K or 5%-10% at most latitudes except in the polar regions (where they can reach similar to +/- 30-60 K). The results indicate that non-orographic GW play a significant role in the dynamics of the middle-upper atmosphere of Mars via the induced transfer of momentum and energy from the lower atmosphere.