On the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for waves on a nonuniform current

Abstract: A nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation with variable coefficients for surface waves on a large-scale steady nonuniform current has been derived without the assumption of a relative smallness of the velocity of the current. This equation can describe with good accuracy the loss of modulation stability of a wave coming to a counter current, leading to the formation of so called rogue waves. Some theoretical estimates are compared to the numerical simulation with the exact equations for a two-dimensional potential motion of an ideal fluid with a free boundary over a nonuniform bottom at a nonzero average horizontal velocity.