The Weather From Global to Micro Scales

Catalog description

Conceptual models and underlying physics for weather phenomena on scales from the global general circulation to turbulence. METEO 511 The Weather From Global to Micro Scales (3) Earth's weather occurs on a variety of scales from the global general circulation down to microscale turbulence. This spectrum includes synoptic scale storms whose structure and dynamics vary with latitude and topography as well as a broad range of mesoscale phenomena whose structure depends strongly on the vertical structure of the atmosphere. At these intermediate scales, each phenomenon draws energy from conditions created by phenomena of both larger and smaller scale phenomena. Thus, the full spectrum of weather phenomena is linked energetically. This course explores these linkages and the dynamics of the weather phenomena that result. Quantitative results from this theoretical analysis are then used to explain the structure and behavior of the phenomena themselves. Using both theoretical and observational methods students will gain an understanding of the full spectrum of weather phenomena including the physics and dynamics responsible for their structure, development, and evolution.