Atmosphere Dynamics

Catalog description

This course offers a general overview of the physical processes that determine the state of the Earth’s atmosphere. The focus is to describe the main features of the planetary circulation and to explain how they arise as a dynamical response of the atmosphere to different external forcings such as solar radiation or topography. Students should have some knowledge in geophysical fluid dynamics before taking this course. Topics covered include solar forcing, the mean-state of the atmosphere, Hadley and monsoonal circulations, dynamics of the mid-latitude stormtracks, energetics, zonally asymmetric circulations, equatorial dynamics, and the interaction between moist convection and large-scale flow. Students are assigned bi-weekly homework assignments and some computer exercises, and are expected to complete a final project or exam.