Topics in Synoptic Meteorology

Catalog description

Application of atmospheric dynamics to the diagnosis and prediction of synoptic-scale weather. The primary objective of the course is to investigate midlatitude synoptic-scale weather systems from a quasigeostropic perspective. Topics include Sutcliffe's development theorem, quasigeostrophic height tendency and omega equations, midlatitude extratropical cyclones, fronts and frontogenesis, semigeostropic theory, and the potential vorticity perspective of synoptic-scale analysis. The course builds upon the dynamical understanding acquired in atmospheric dynamics and synoptic meteorology courses, and is well-suited for students seeking careers in a broad range of areas, including but not limited to air quality, weather forecasting and communications, microscale meteorology, mesoscale meteorology, and synoptic meteorology.