Meteorology 551 - Fundamental Applications of Dynamic Meteorology

Winter 1997
MW 11:00-12:30; WBB 212
Instructor: John Horel
Office Hours: MW 1:00-3:00; EMRO 409
Phone: 581-7091
Email: jhorel
Teaching Assistant: Brett McDonald
Office Hours: MW 1:00-3:00; EMRO 420
Phone: 581-7324
Email: bemcdona
Philosophy and Objectives: The main objectives of this course are to develop a physical understanding of the basic dynamics that govern the atmosphere and an awareness of day-to-day variations in the weather. We will work toward these objectives using a two tiered approach that combines lectures with laboratory work. Lectures will generally begin with a discussion led by the instructor that uses recently covered dynamical concepts to diagnose current and future weather. Laboratory work will consist of problem sets and weather analysis which will require completion outside the classroom.
Format: Lecture - 3 hours per week (11-12:30 MW). You are strongly encouraged to attend the weather discussions MWF 12:30-1:00. The format of this course is substantially different from previous years in that the course has changed from primarily a laboratory course to primarily a lecture course.
Grading: Grading will be based on labs and problem sets (40%), mid-term exam (25%), and final exam (35%). Late assignments will not be accepted without prior arrangement; 10% will be deducted for each class period that the assignment is late.
Text: Dusan Djuric: Weather Analysis. Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology by J. R. Holton and Atmospheric Science - An Introductory Survey by Wallace and Hobbs are also used.
Computer Skills Required: Basic knowledge of FORTRAN, GEMPAK, and Unix operating system.
Required Equipment: Colored pencils (red, green, blue, yellow), several #2 pencils, eraser, and straight edge.
Schedule and Recommended Reading:
  • Overview of synoptic lab facility (Djuric chs. 1&2)
  • Fundamental mathematical concepts (Handout; Djuric appendices A&B)
  • Surface observation reports (METAR code) (Handout; Djuric appendix E)
  • Hydrostatic balance, hypsometric equation, and atmospheric thickness (Holton sec. 1.6.1; W&H sec. 2.2)
  • Sea-level pressure reduction and altimeter setting (W&H sec. 2.2.4)
  • Scalar Analysis (Djuric secs. 3.1-3.3)
  • Advection (Djuric sec. 4.8; Holton sec. 2.1)
  • Balanced winds (Holton secs. 3.1&3.2)
  • Applications of geostrophic and gradient wind balance
  • Thermal wind (Djuric secs. 6.1&6.2; Holton sec. 3.4; W&H sec. 8.6)
  • Basic Kinematics: Vorticity, Deformation, and Divergence (Djuric ch. 4)
  • Conservation of mass and vertical motion
    Last updated 06 January 1997