MT5320.01 - Dynamic Meteorology II MWF Spring 2011 8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. Dr. Jim Koermer Boyd 306 DYNAMIC METEOROLOGY II SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION: Dynamic Meteorology II involves the application of laws and principles of physics to the dry atmosphere and the development of governing equations, picking up where the previous semester left off. The mathematics and physics of atmospheric motion to include expressions for the thermal wind, pressure tendency, vertical motion, rotational variables of the atmosphere (vorticity and circulation), the planetary boundary layer, quasi-geostrophic approximations, and oscillatory behavior of the atmosphere. Interpretations of what these equations mean in the real atmosphere will also be provided. Depending on time constraints, a brief introduction to Stratospheric Dynamics and/or Numerical Weather Prediction will also be presented. Graduate students will have the additional assignment of researching a unique mesoscale topic, not scheduled to be covered or will not be covered in any significant depth. PURPOSE: MT5320 is designed to provide students with a sound physical basis and better appreciation of the inner workings of the atmosphere. It will also provide students with several very useful concepts that will help them decipher the meaning of weather analysis charts, understand the basis for numerical weather prediction, and apply the understanding to forecasting various weather parameters. PREREQUISITES: MT5310 (Dynamic Meteorology I) COURSE OBJECTIVES: The basic objectives of this course are as follows: a. Develop an understanding of the physical basis for and mathematical development of equations governing atmospheric motion. b. Know how to derive, scale, apply, and interpret these governing equations. c. Provide the ability to use this knowledge in synoptic situations and draw appropriate conclusions. REQUIRED TEXT: "An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fourth Edition", James R. Holton, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004. USEFUL REFERENCES: "Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes, Volume I, Kinematics and Dynamics", Howard B. Bluestein, Oxford University Press, 1992. "The Ceaseless Wind--An Introduction to Atmospheric Motion", John A. Dutton, McGraw-Hill, 1976. Note: The library has the above books and a large number of other applicable references. GRADING: - 10% of the course grade is based on homework assignments - 25% of the course grade will be based on six quasi-weekly quizzes on the following dates: -- Wednesday, Feb 9 -- Wednesday, Feb 23 -- Wednesday, Mar 16 -- Wednesday, Mar 30 -- Wednesday, Apr 20 -- Wednesday, Apr 27
- 25% of the course grade is based on the results of three tests on the following dates -- Wednesday, Mar 2 -- Wednesday, Apr 6 -- Wednesday, May 4-20% of the course grade will be based on the semester project/paper/presentation (see instructor for details) - 20% of the grade is based on a comprehensive final exam given on the following date: -- Friday, May 20 (Exam starts at 8:00 a.m. in B306) The lowest homework score and lowest quiz score will be dropped before determining your final course average. I will use the following standard conversions to assess letter grades: 92.5-100% A 89.5-92.4% A- 86.5-89.4% B+ 82.5-86.4% B 79.5-82.4% B- 76.5-79.4% C+ 72.5-76.4% C 69.5-72.4% C- 66.5-69.4% D+ 62.5-66.4% D 59.5-62.4% D- below 59.5% F ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class. Role will only be called at the beginning of the semester to verify rosters. However, be advised that this is not a correspondence course!!! Lecture material will sometimes not be in the text, yet test/exam material will be entirely based on what was covered in lecture. Hence, good attendance and note taking are extremely important. Tests will include material up to and including that covered in the class period just prior to the test period, unless otherwise instructed. For the second and third tests, the material for which you will be responsible will begin with the new material covered following that in the previous test. Unexcused absences that result in a missed homework/quiz/test/exam will automatically result in a zero grade for that measure. An oral make-up exam will normally be given to those in the advent of an excused absence. The only valid reasons for an excused absence are as follows: a. Documented student s participation in official University-sponsored events b. Student s documented illness c. Student s documented injury d. Documented death in the student s immediate family e. Documented illness or injury in a student s immediate family f. Documented student s military duty g. Documented student s required jury duty I am not obligated to excuse an absence, if the student fails to provide the requested documentation. If you know that you will be missing a class when an assignment is due or a quiz/test/exam is scheduled because of a valid reason, please let your instructor know in advance whenever possible. OFFICE HOURS: My formally scheduled office (B317) hours are as follows:. MWF 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. R 11:00 a.m. 12:00 noon However, don't feel bound by these hours. Feel free to stop by at any time. If you want to schedule a fixed time or discuss something with me over the phone, please call me at ext. 52574 or e-mail at koermer@plymouth.edu. My home phone number is 536-5056. CELL PHONES: Cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate only (if you are expecting an emergency call) before the start of class. You will not be allowed to use your cell phone when taking a quiz, test, or exam. EAR BUDS: Ear buds are not to be worn during class time.
BATHROOM ISSUES: Students should take care of business before coming to class. You shouldn t be getting up to leave for a bathroom break during a class. Plymouth State University is committed to providing students with documented disabilities equal access to all university programs and facilities. If you think you have a disability requiring accommodations, you should immediately contact the PASS Office in Lamson Library (535-2270) to determine whether you are eligible for such accommodations. Academic accommodations will only be considered for students who have registered with the PASS Office. If you have a Letter of Accommodation for this course from the PASS Office, please provide the instructor with that information privately so that you and the instructor can review those accommodations.
MT5320 COURSE OUTLINE 1. Basic Approximations and Relationships (Text: Chapter 3) a. Trajectory and streamlines b. Thermal Wind c. Pressure Tendency/Vertical Motion -- Pressure Tendency Equation -- Relationship between Cartesian and Pressure Coordinates -- Mathematical Expressions for Deriving Vertical Velocity --- Adiabatic Method --- Kinematic Method 2. Rotational Aspects of Motion (Text: Chapter 4) a. Circulation -- Definition -- Circulation Theorem -- Factors Affecting Changes in Circulation b. Vorticity -- Definition -- Absolute Vorticity -- Relative Vorticity -- Earth's Vorticity -- Relationship between Vorticity and Circulation -- Shear Vorticity -- Curvature Vorticity c. Potential Vorticity -- Cartesian Coordinates -- Isobaric Coordinates d. The Vorticity Equation -- Derivation -- Interpretation of Terms -- Scale Analysis -- Barotropic Vorticity Equation 3. Planetary Boundary Layer (Text: Chapter 5) a. Definitions -- Surface Layer -- Ekman Layer b. PBL Equations -- Mixing Length Theory -- Governing Equations -- Interpretation c. Secondary Circulation and Spin-Down -- Mathematical Development -- Interpretation 4. Quasi-Geostrophic System (Text: Chapter 6) a. Assumptions b. Beta-Plane Approximation c. Quasi-Geostrophic Equations -- Vorticity Equation -- Geopotential Tendency Equation -- Omega Equation
-- Q.G. Potential Vorticity Equation 5. Atmospheric Waves and Oscillations (Text: Chapter 7) a. Wave Properties -- Phase, Wavenumber, Length, and Speed -- Fourier Series -- Dispersion and Group Velocity b. Simple Atmospheric Waves -- Acoustic/Sound Waves -- Shallow Water Gravity Waves c. Internal Gravity (Buoyancy) Waves d. Rossby Waves 6. Middle Atmosphere Dynamics (Text: Chapter 12) a. Tropical Planetary Waves -- Yanai/Mixed Rossby Gravity Waves -- Kelvin Waves b. Sudden Stratospheric Warmings -- Major Warmings -- Minor Warmings 7. Introductory Aspects of Numerical Weather Prediction (Text: Chapter 13) Time Permitting a. Historical Background b. Sound/Gravity Waves -- Computational Instability -- Filtering c. Filtered Forecast Equations -- Streamfunction and Velocity Potential -- Quasi-Geostrophic Potential Vorticity Equation -- Divergence Equation d. Simple Barotropic Models e. Numerical Forecast System and Components 8. Graduate Student Presentation(s) on Various Mesoscale Topics Not Covered in Class