Dynamic principles governing atmospheric motions on a rotating planet. Simplified mathematical models of atmospheric flow based on scale analysis. Application to synoptic-scale and general circulation of the troposphere. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of PHYS 312, MATH 316 and one of EOSC 250, MATH 217, MATH 317.
Valentina Radic
Required: J.R. Holton "An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology", 4th edition, Academic Press, 2004. (PDF available online, see Syllabus)
Or: J.R. Holton & G. J. Hakim "An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology", 5th edition, Academic Press, 2013. 532 pp
2006 : ATSC 404 course content
Day 1 (Jan 4): Intro presentation Math Assignment (due on Friday 8th Jan in class)
Day 2 (Jan 6): Fundamental Forces
Day 3 (Jan 8): Hydrostatic Balance (Math Review Quiz)
Day 4 (Jan 11): Rotating Frame of Reference
Day 5 (Jan 13): Apparent Forces
Day 6 (Jan 15): Problems (Homework due on Monday 18th Jan in class)
Day 7 (Jan 18): Total Derivative, Momentum Equation (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 8 (Jan 20): Momentum Equation in Cartesian Coordinates, Scale Analysis of Momentum Equation
Day 9 (Jan 22): Problems (Homework due on Monday 25th Jan in class)
Day 10 (Jan 25): Scale Analysis of Momentum Eq.: Geostrophic and Hydrostatic Approximation (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 11 (Jan 27): Continuity Equation
Day 12 (Jan 29): Problems (Homework due on Monday 1st Feb in class)
Day 13 (Feb 1): Thermodynamic Energy Equation (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 14 (Feb 3): Convective (In)Stability, Potential Temperature
Day 15 (Feb 5): Problems (Homework due on Wednesday 10th Feb in class)
Day 16 (Feb 10): Basic Equations in Isobaric Coordinates (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 17 (Feb 12): Balanced Flow: Geostrophic Vortex, Cyclostrophic Vortex, Gradient Wind (Homework due on Monday 22nd Feb in class)
Day 18 (Feb 22): Streamlines and Trajectories, Thermal Wind (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 19 (Feb 24): More on Thermal Wind and Gradient Wind
Day 20 (Feb 26): Problems (Homework due on Monday 29th Feb in class)
Day 21 (Feb 29): Vorticity, Vorticity Equation (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 22 (Mar 2): Scale Analysis of Vorticity Equation
Day 23 (Mar 4): Conservation of Barotropic Potential Vorticity, Problems (Homework due on Monday 7th Mar in class)
Day 24 (Mar 7): More on Barotropic Potential Vorticity, Quasi-Geostophic Analysis (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 25 (Mar 9): More on Quasi-Geostrophic Analysis
Day 26 (Mar 11): Problems (Homework due on Monday 14th Mar in class)
Day 27 (Mar 14): Waves: Basic Concepts, Dispersion and Group Velocity (Homework keys; graded homework due by Friday)
Day 28 (Mar 16): Perturbation Theory for Linearising the Governing PDEs
Day 29 (Mar 18): Shallow-water Gravity Waves; Problems (Homework due on Monday 21st Mar in class)
Day 30 (Mar 21): Rossby Waves (Homework keys; graded homework due by Wednesday 30th Mar)
See Syllabus 2016.
Matlab Assignments from 2014:
Assignment 1: Coriolis (codes)
Assignment 2: Thermodynamics (codes)
Assignment 3: Vorticity (codes)
Assignment 4: Waves (codes)
Assignment 5: Baroclinic instability (codes)