Geography G533/433: Synoptic Meteorology and Climatology

GEOGRAPHY G433/533: SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY

Spring 2001

Dr. Sara Pryor.

(SECTION #:2440/2451)

Meeting time: MW 9:30-10:45 am

Meeting place: WH 106

Contacting the instructor:

Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 11:00 am -12:00 pm.

Office: Geography (Student Building) 310.

E-mail: spryor@indiana.edu

Overview: Analysis and prediction of synoptic scale weather systems, emphasizing the mid-latitudes. Other topics covered include severe weather and atmospheric/oceanic teleconnnections.

Synopsis: (provisional time table)

Week	Topic	Reading from Djuric	Reading from Chaston
1-2	Background materials: A qualitative review of: Global circulation. Air masses and fronts. Cyclones and anticyclones	1	1
2	Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
3-4	Synoptic data/meteorological observations. What measurements are available and how are they obtained? Surface observations. Upper air observations. Remotely sensed data: e.g. RADAR and satellites	2, 11	44, 45
4-6	Interpreting synoptic charts. The basics and basis of synoptic meteorology. Surface and upper air charts (isopleths etc). Vertical soundings. Derived data.	3, 5, 9, Appendix E	2-7, 10-14, 18, 20, 21, Appendix B
6-11	“Forecasting” for the mid-latitudes. Emphasizing the physical processes of motion/processes at this scale. Kinematics. Fronts. Air masses. Cyclones and anticyclones - theories of cyclogenesis. Moisture, clouds and precipitation.	*3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11**	14, 40, p173
10	Spring break
12-15	Mesoscale storms/severe weather. Thunderstorms. Tornadoes. Hurricanes.	5, 12	39, Appendix B
	Forecasting tools: Numerical and statistical techniques		34 & 35
15-16	Synoptic climatology. Introduction to: teleconnections, and the growing field of environmental analysis using synoptic climatology (methodological and physical considerations).
16	Review
FINAL EXAM: 10:15-12:15pm Wednesday 2^nd May

Notes:

* indicates Chapter 12 in Stull’s book for G304 is also a good resource.
From the middle of the semester on each week a portion of class time will be committed to analysis of forecast charts and other meteorological charts.
Chaston’s book is very accessible, although I have picked out a few particularly relevant chapters to highlight try to read it all.
Additional readings will be placed on reserve in the Geography and Map Library

Course texts: Other readings will be put on reserve in the Geography library.

· DJURIC D. (1994): Weather Analysis. Published by Prentice Hall ISBN: 0-13-501149-3.

· CHASTON P. (1995) Weather Maps. Published by Chaston Scientific Inc. ISBN 0-9645172-0-5

Assignments and grading for G433:

· 3 Assignments - 15% each

· Project - 25%. Paper on one of the topics outlined below.

· Final - 30%

Assignments and grading for G533:

· 3 Assignments - 10% each

· Project - 40%

· 20% for paper. (paper will be graded and returned to the student before the poster is due)

· 20% for poster.

· Final - 30%

To obtain a passing grade all of the above must be completed and submitted.

PENALTY FOR WORK SUBMITTED LATE: 10% PER DAY.

Grading scale:

A: 85-100%. B: 70-85%. C: 55-70%. D: 40-55%.

The grade increments are subdivided into 3 classes; e.g. B^-, B, B⁺ in 5% increments. I.e. 55-59.99% is a C^-, 60-64.99% is a C and 65-69.99% is a C⁺.

Assignments:

(1) The three assignments will be distributed in class and will involve analysis of weather charts, collation of data from other sources and practical examples of applications of the materials presented during the lectures.

Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Assignment 3

(2) The major piece of work is a paper (and poster for graduate students) of one of the following topics:

· Remote sensing applications in synoptic meteorology.

· Weather prediction - methods and uncertainties.

· Theories of cyclogenesis.

· Thunderstorms.

· Tornadoes.

· Hurricanes.

· ENSO - A physical explanation of the global extent of this phenomenon.

OR a topic agreed on with the instructor.

(3) The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all the material presented during the semester.

The review sheet for the final
A past exam

Important dates:

· Class will not meet on Monday 15^th January, or during Spring break (12^th and 14^th March).

· FINAL EXAM: 10:15-12:15pm Wednesday 2^nd May.

Friendly reminders:

· Turn up to class - The lectures will not be directly from the course texts.

· Do your readings - Read and understand your course texts.

· Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. The policy on academic dishonesty included in the Schedule of Classes and student academic handbook will be strictly adhered to.

· Do your assignments and submit them on time. Late work will be heavily penalized.

WWW listings:

Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Spring break