Abstract An accurate method of solution is developed for the Warner and McIntyre parameterization of nonorographic gravity wave drag for the case of hydrostatic dynamics in the absence of rotation. The new scheme is sufficiently fast that it is suitable for operational use in a general circulation model. Multiyear climate runs of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model are performed using the new scheme, and these are compared against equivalent climate runs using the full Warner and McIntyre scheme, which includes nonhydrostatic and rotational wave dynamics. The results indicate that the new operational scheme closely reproduces the seasonal distribution of time- and zonal-mean zonal winds, and the seasonal evolution of lower stratospheric temperatures that are obtained when the full Warner and McIntyre scheme is used. In addition, these quantities are shown to compare favorably with observations.