ATMO 200 Atmospheric Processes and Phenomena

ATMO 200 – Atmospheric Processes and Phenomena

Professor: Gary M. Barnes, HIG 335, , (808) 956-2565

Office Hours: anytime except when other classes occur (W 3:15 to 4:30; T, TH 10:30 – 11:45)

ATMO200 is the new version of MET 200 which is the introductory course for Atmospheric Science majors and a required course for the Global Environmental Science majors. Pre-requisites are MATH 241 and PHYS 170. With permission of the professor other situations may be granted.

The class is designed to introduce the student to fundamental concepts that govern the atmosphere and the basic features seen on a wide range of length scales. Weather maps are regularly shown and some forecasting techniques are discussed. The text is Meteorology Today by C. D. Ahrens. This hardback book serves as a reference for many of the topics we shall discuss in the lectures, but the lectures will not necessarily be derived from the book. Instead, the lectures are designed to equip the student with a more sophisticated approach to the fundamentals. Equations will be used regularly and there will be exercises attached to each topic that highlight important aspects and give the student the chance to work with the concepts. On several days we will examine the weather maps and apply concepts that have been introduced.

The grade will be based on two quizzes (each 20%), the exercises (20%), in class participation (10%) and a final (30%). Topics in their approximate order follow. Note that this is a redesigned class being taught for the first time and therefore subject to significant changes as we proceed.

L1 constituents in the atmosphere

L2 variables used for weather and climate

L3 energy in the atmosphere

L4 radiation basics

L5 earth-atmosphere’s reaction to the sun’s radiation

L6 temperature – what governs it

L7 hydrostatic equation

L8 introduction to weather maps

L9 moisture in the atmosphere

L10 cloud types

L11 precipitation processes

L12 stability and vertical motion

L13 saturated ascent

L14 pressure gradient

L15 Coriolis

L16 Geostrophic approximation and friction

L17 Gradient balance

L18 Scales of motion

L19 the 3 cell model of a water planet and reality

L20 planetary scales: NECZ, subtropical highs, monsoons, ENSO

L21 Synoptic scales: fronts, midlatitudes cyclones, role of the jet streams

L22 Mesoscale Phenomena: sea-breeze, squall lines, mountain-valley flows, Hawaii

L23 convective clouds: ordinary and supercells, tornadoes, hail, lightning

L24 hurricanes – ingredients for formation, structure

L25 pollution – links to stability

L26 global warming