Dynamic

 Meteorology  II  (ATMO  441b/541b)  

Spring  Semester  2016  (3  credits)  
Lecture:  Tuesday  and  Thursday  11:00  a.m.–12:15  p.m.,  PAS  488  
http://www.atmo.arizona.edu/courses/spring16/atmo541b/index.html  
 
Instructor:    
Professor  Thomas  Galarneau  
Office:  Physics-­‐Atmospheric  Sciences  Bldg,  Rm.  570  
Phone:  520-­‐626-­‐7843  
Email:  tgalarneau@email.arizona.edu  
Office  hours:  Tuesday  and  Thursday  1:00–2:30  pm,  or  by  appointment  
 
Scope  of  course:  
To  develop  theoretical  concepts  that  can  explain  and  help  understand  observed  synoptic-­‐scale  
weather  systems  and  their  development.  
 
Prerequisite:  
ATMO  441a/541a,  PHYS  426  or  consent  of  the  instructor.  
 
Required  textbook:  
An  Introduction  to  Dynamic  Meteorology,  by  Holton  and  Hakim,  5th  Ed.,  2013  (same  as  in  
ATMO  441a/541a)  
 
Recommended  textbooks  for  supplementary  reading:  
Synoptic-­‐Dynamic  Meteorology  in  Midlatitudes,  Vol.  I,  Principles  of  Kinematics  and  Dynamics,  by  
H.  B.  Bluestein,  1992  
Synoptic-­‐Dynamic  Meteorology  in  Midlatitudes,  Vol.  II,  Observations  and  Theory  of  Weather  
Systems,  by  H.  B.  Bluestein,  1993  
Mid-­‐Latitude  Atmospheric  Dynamics:  A  First  Course,  by  J.  E.  Martin,  2006  
 
Course  requirements:  
Homework  and  laboratory  assignments  (due  at  start  of  class):  30%  
Midterm  exam  (Thursday  March  10,  in  class):  20%  
Final  exam  (Tuesday  May  10,  10:30  am–12:30  pm):  30%  
Research  paper  and  presentation  (paper  due  on  April  26;  presentations  on  April  26/28):  20%  
 
Topics:    
1.   Course  Introduction  
•   Phenomenology  of  weather  systems  
•   Review  of  governing  equations  of  the  atmosphere  
 
2.   Quasi-­‐Geostrophic  (QG)  Dynamics  and  Potential  Vorticity  Concepts  
•   Derivation  of  QG  equations  
•   Vorticity  thinking  
 •   Potential  vorticity  thinking  
 
3.   QG  Vertical  Motion  
•   QG  omega  equation:  vorticity  and  thermal  advection  form  
•   QG  omega  equation:  Q-­‐vector  form  
 
4.   Midlatitude  Cyclogenesis  
•   QG  Height  Tendency  equation  
•   Cyclogenesis  from  a  QG  perspective  
•   Cyclogenesis  from  a  PV  perspective  
 
5.   Waves  and  Instabilities  
•   Atmospheric  waves  
•   Baroclinic  and  barotropic  instability  
•   Downstream  development  
 
6.   Frontogenesis  
•   Kinematic  and  dynamic  description  of  frontogenesis  
•   Vertical  motion  at  fronts  
•   Semi-­‐Geostrophic  equations  
•   Upper-­‐Level  fronts  
 
Late  policy:  
Late  homework  and  lab  assignments  will  not  be  accepted  unless  discussed  with  me  prior  to  
the  start  of  class  on  the  due  date.  Missing  an  exam  will  result  in  a  score  of  zero.  If  
outstanding  circumstances  result  in  a  late  assignment  or  missed  exam,  discuss  with  me  as  
soon  as  possible.  
 
Academic  integrity,  student  assistance,  and  student  accountability:  
http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/students  
 
Accessibility  and  accommodations:  
It  is  the  University's  goal  to  make  every  part  of  the  learning  experience  as  accessible  as  
possible.    If  you  anticipate  or  experience  physical  or  academic  barriers  based  on  disability  or  
pregnancy,  please  let  me  know  so  that  we  can  discuss  options.    You  may  also  wish  to  
contact  Disability  Resources  (520-­‐621-­‐3268)  to  establish  reasonable  accommodations.