MAQ-32806 Atmospheric Dynamics

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

MAQ-21806 Meteorology and Climate, HWM-23806 Fluid Mechanics

Contents:

The behaviour of mid-latitude weather systems, as we experience them from day to day, is to a great extent determined by the movement and development of the large-scale anticyclones and cyclones and also by the global-scale circulation. If we would like to understand the weather we need to analyse the structure of these systems and we need to know how they develop from a perturbation to maturity and decay. This is a complex problem and is the subject of this course.

Learning outcomes:

After this course the student is expected to be able to:
- identify and analyse the processes governing the behaviour of large-scale systems;
- apply this knowledge to simplified systems;
- interpret day-to-day weather maps and with this be able to appraise and explain developments of the actual situation;
- discuss and explain the dynamics of large-scale processes which govern weather and climate.

Activities:

- active participation in lectures;
- performing all excercises;
- excercises laboratory (compulsory).

Examination:

Final grade depends on: lab reports, submitted homework and an exam (partly 'open book').

Literature:

James R Holton: 'An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology (4th edition)'. Notes on the website.