ATM S 581, Winter Quarter 2000

Numerical Modeling of Atmospheric Flows

Instructor: Professor Dale Durran
606 Atmospheric Sciences Bldg., 543-7440
durrand@atmos.washington.edu

Lectures: MWF, 10:30 - 11:20, 610ATG

Textbook: Durran, D.R., 1999: Numerical Methods for Wave Equations in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Springer-Verlag.

Purpose of Course:

To obtain a thorough understanding of the basic numerical techniques that form the foundation for the computer models commonly used to stimulate atmospheric motions. The focus is on fundamental numerical methods used to simulate low-viscosity fluid motions. We will not delve into the details of individual atmospheric models; rather we will examine prototype problems such as tracer transport, shallow-water waves, and internal waves in a density stratified fluid.

Course Outline:

Introduction

Elementary finite-difference methods

Series expansion methods

Finite volume methods

Semi-Langrangian methods

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