Instructor: Dr. Lynn McMurdie
624 Atmospheric
Sciences Bldg., 685-9405
mcmurdie@atmos.washington.edu
Lectures: MW, 10:30-11:20 AM, ATG 610. Laboratory: F 10:30-12:20 AM
Office Hours:
Textbook: There is no requiredtextbook for this course. However, there will be selected required or recommended readingsfrom articles and the following texts:
Wallace, J.M. and P.V. Hobbs, 1977: Atmospheric Science, an Introductory Survey. Academic Press, New york, 467 pp.
Bluestein, H.B., 1993: Synoptic-dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes. Volume II: Observations of Theory of Weather Systems.Oxford University Press, New York, 594 pp.
Newton, C., and E.O. Holopainen, Eds., 1990: Extratropical Cyclones, The Erik Palmen Memorial Volume.American Meteorological Society, Boston, 262 pp.
Original copies of any required readings will be made available for xeroxing.
Evaluation:
Grading will be based on labs and homework (35%), a midterm exam (20%), a final exam (35%) and participation in the daily weather discussions (10%).
1. Global Circulation and Upper level flow: Thermally direct circulation, laboratory analogs, baroclinic waves, rawinsondes, geostrophic and gradient wind, hypsometric equation, 500 mb patterns. Lab 1: Scalar analysis, 500 mb map.
2. Extratropical circulation: Thickness, thermal wind review, barotropic, equivalent barotropic, and baroclinic atmospheres, geopotential height tendency. Lab 2: Introduction to maproom, 850mb map.
3.Surface AnalysisReduction to sea level pressure, station model, practical aspects of frontal analysis, vertical structure of fronts, zero and first order discontinuity, effects of deformation and ageostrophic circulation on fronts. Lab 3: Surface map.
4. Cyclone structure and development: Norwegian cyclone model, cyclogenesis, Petterssen type B development. Lab 4: Map commands exercise.
5. Cyclone structure and development continued: Modern models of cyclone development, 3-D structure in midlatitude cyclones. Lab 5: GRADS assignment on cyclone structure.
6. Vertical motion in cyclone development and upper level fronts: Methods for diagnosis of vertical motion, Q-vectors, structure and dynamics of upper level fronts. Lab 6: GRADS assignment on diagnosis of vertical motion.
7. Satellite interpretation of cyclones: Interpretation of visible, infrared, and water vapor imaging. Lab 7: GRADS assignment on 3-D structure and trajectory exercise.
8. Influence of topography on synoptic and mesoscale systems: Lee cyclogenesis, terrain-bounded cold surges and cold-air damming. Lab 8: Satellite and radar interpretation exercise.
9. Pacific Northwest Weather: Puget Sound convergence zone, Enumclaw windstorms, marine surges, snowstorms, major cyclognesis events, flooding situations. No lab.
10. Weather forecasting. History, numerical weather prediction models, model output statistics, temperature and precipitation forecasting. Lab 10: Weather forecasting exercise.