Abstract
A vertical finite-difference scheme for the primitive equations in sigma coordinates is obtained by requiring that the discrete equations retain some important properties of the continuous equations. A family of schemes is derived whose members conserve total energy, maintain an integral constraint on the vertically integrated pressure gradient force, have a local differencing of the hydrostatic equation, and give exact forms of the hydrostatic equation and the pressure gradient force for particular atmospheres. The proposed scheme is a member of this family that in addition conserves the global mass integral of the potential temperature under abiabatic processes.
