ATM S 441 Autumn 1997

Atmospheric Motions I

Course Outline

I. Introduction. Scale analysis, fundamental forces, rotating coordinates, Coriolis force, atmospheric statics. (Chapter 1 in text: 1 week; 9/29-10/3 --Alexander)
II. Basic Conservation Laws. Momentum equation, continuity equation, thermodynamic energy equation, atmospheric thermodynamics. (Chapter 2 in text: 2 weeks; 10/6-10/10 --Holton, 10/13-10/17 --Alexander)
III. Applications of the Basic Equations. Isobaric coordinates, geostrophic flow, inertial flow, cyclostrophic flow, gradient wind, thermal wind, vertical motion. (Chapter 3 in text: 2 weeks; 10/20-10/31 --Alexander) [Midterm #1, October 20]
IV. Circulation and Vorticity. Circulation theorem, vorticity, potential vorticity, vorticity equation, barotropic vorticity equation and numerical prediction. (Chapter 4 in text: 2 weeks 11/3-11/14 --Alexander) [Midterm #2, November 14].
V. Planetary Boundary Layer. Boundary layer momentum balance, secondary circulation, spin-down. (Chapter 5 in text: 1 week; 11/17-11/21 --Holton).
VI. Midlatitude Synoptic Scale Motions. Observed structure of midlatitude systems, the quasi- geostrophic system of equations, the potential vorticity equation, the vertical motion (omega) equation, model of developing system. (Chapter 6 in text: 2+ weeks; 11/24 -12/10 --Holton)