Required Text:
1. C. Donald Ahrens, (1994) Meteorology Today, West Publishing Company, New York, 5th Ed.
2. Skew T, Log P Diagram, (1992) USAF/Riddle.
Supplemental Material:
a. A. Powell, (1991) Readings in Meteorology, three sections, ERAU reprint.
Course Description:
Course topics include the derivation and application of the hydrostatic equation, atmospheric kinomatics, derivation of the equation of continuity, development of thermal wind, fundamental weather analysis, high altitude and radar meteorology, air pollution, and solar impact on weather. The student practices current weather analysis and short range weather forecasting using much of the latest equipment available in aviation. Prerequisities: Demonstrated knowledge of mathematics and basic meteorology.
Goals:
This course is designed to assist the student in carrying out responsibilities in aviation/aerospace related endevors by providing an advanced comprehensive understanding and operational application of current meteorological concepts. This course allows the student to look at problems of meteorological support to aviation/aerospace activities. Upon completion of this course, the student should have a realistic knowledge of weather analysis, problems involved in aviation/aerospace support, and insight to future developments in the meteorological, aviation or aerospace fields. Students will make oral presentations and written reports on assigned topics.
Performance Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Review basic meteorology concepts (including aviation/aerospace weather hazards) and their relationship to atmospheric kinematics and dynamics.
2. Demonstrate the operation of a high technology state-of-the-art meteorological data computer system.
3. Comprehend the basic and derived units of meteorological measurements.
4. Comprehend concepts of atmospheric thermodynamics such as the ideal gas law, first law, and temperature lapse rate. Relate the concept of atmospheric stability to parameters calculated using a Skew T, Log P diagram.
5. Comprehend the forces that drive the Earth's winds in the context of Newton's laws of motion. Discuss the main circulation features in the Earth's atmosphere.
6. Explain the concepts of air masses, fronts, and elementary weather analysis.
7. Explain the life cycle of an extratropical cyclone.
8. Explain how the dynamical concepts of vorticity and divergence relate to the developing and dissipating cyclones.
Class Policies/Teaching Methods:
Class meetings will be comprised of lectures and discussions of assigned material, student presentations, films, on-line computer resources and testing for understanding. Class participation is expected with emphasis on aviation related applications. Anticipate one field trip. All students are expected to bring their text and appropriate note-taking materials to each scheduled class where academic honesty is the required mode of behavior. Assignments contained herein, and as augmented at instructor's discretion, shall be completed prior to class. Assignments constitute minimim coverage of the required lessons and the student is encouraged to complete additional study within each assigned area to promote mastery of the objectives. Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes where active participation in class is an integral element and will be considered in final course grades. Should circumstances arise beyond a student's control which may force a student to miss a class session or portion thereof, all matters relating to the absence should be arranged between the student and the instructor, including making up missed work. Absences are particularly significant in this program due to the amount of material covered in each class. Thus students are encouraged to assist one another with missed classnotes and assignments.
| Area | Grade Scale | |
|---|---|---|
| Area content tests | 30% | 90-100 A |
| Final exam | 40% | 80-89 B |
| Term Paper | 20% | 70-79 C |
| Class Participation | 10% | 60-69 D |
| Total 100% | ||
Session #1: Tuesday
Topic: Introduction: Distribution of Atmospheric Parameters (moisture, pressure, temperature) and Their Relation to Climate
Objectives:
1. The student will know the scope and concept of the course to include the classroom procedures, homework requirements to include research paper and oral presentation, examinations and grading policy.
2. Discuss the distribution of weather parameters in the earth's atmosphere (pressure, moisture, temperature, atmospheric composition, etc.) and how changes may affect the earth's climate.
3. Comprehend basic concepts associated with the theory of atmospheres to include: equilibrium temperatures, hydrostatic equation, and adiabatic lapse rate.
Assignment: Read: Ahrens, Chapters 1, 2 (to p.48) and 3; scan: Chapters 17, 18, & 19.
Session #2: Tuesday
Topic: Atmospheric Pressure and Moisture
Objectives:
1. The student will comprehend and apply the concepts of atmospheric pressure and altimetry for use in determining pressure altitude and density altitude for aircrews.
2. Discuss the impact of moisture in the form of humidity and condensation on atmospheric stability.
3. Students will select/be assigned specific research topics to be presented during Session #7.
Assignment: Read/review Ahrens, Chapters 5, 6, 8 and 9.
Session #3: Tuesday
Topic: Atmospheric Stability and Thermodynamics
Objectives:
1. The student will analyze the concepts associated with atmospheric stability; apply these concepts to determine the stability characteristics of the atmosphere; and analyze a Skew T, Log P diagram.
2. Comprehend basic thermodynamic definitions associated with atmospheric stability, to include potential temperature, lifting condensation level and convective condensation level and apply these concepts to a thermodynamic diagram to determine atmospheric stability and saturation.
Assignment: Read/review Ahrens, Chapter 7, and
Readings: The Skew T, Log P Diagram, pp 1-67 (Supplemental Material).
Session #4: Tuesday
Topic: Atmospheric Circulation
Objectives:
1. The student will comprehend the dynamics of global and local wind effects and their relationship to the equations of motion, the geostrophic approximation, cyclostrophic motion, surfaces of constant pressure, and the thermal wind equation.
2. The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of vorticity patterns as they relate to atmospheric wave motion by analyzing regions of positive and negative vorticity based on shear and curviture, temperature advection, and frontal dynamics.
3. The student will understand how topography and atmospheric stability influence atmospheric circulation and apply the concepts to determine whether a region may have the potential for such aviation hazards as turbulence.
Assignment: Read/review Ahrens, Chapters 9, 10, and 11.
Session #5: Tuesday
Topic: Air Masses and Clouds
Objectives:
1. The student will comprehend the concept of air masses, cloud formation, growth of cloud particles, and the radiative properties of clouds and how they relate to atmospheric stability.
2. The student will understand and demonstrate knowledge of plotting and analyzing a surface weather map to include the placement of warm and cold fronts using key indicators such as temperature, wind shifts, pressure tendency, station pressures, moisture, and cloud types.
3. The student will be familiar with numerical forecast products that are useful in weather prediction and prepare a forecast using available weather data.
4. Area content test over material covered first four weeks.
Assignment: Read/review Ahrens, Chapters 6, 7 and 12.
Session #6: Tuesday
Topic: Hazards to Aviation: Thunderstorms, Aircraft Icing, Low Level Wind Shear, and Visibility
Objective:
1. The student will comprehend the different types of hazards to aviation and understand their cause.
2. The student will demonstrate knowledge of hazard forecasting for a hypothetical crosscountry flight.
Assignment: Read/review Ahrens, Chapters 13, 14, 15 and 16.
Session #7: Tuesday
Topic: Field Trip and Student Report Presentations
Objective:
1. The student will participate in a field trip to the Phoenix Office of the National Weather Service to observe facility equipment and operations, computer integration in weather forecasting and data management, and use of satellite and radar information.
2. The student will present an oral and written, graduate level research report on an assigned, instructor coordinated topic.
Session #8: Tuesday
Topic: Satellite and Radar Meteorology
Objective:
1. The student will comprehend how satellites and radar have influenced weather observation and forecasting, and understand the basic principles of operation and terminology associated with weather radars.
Assignment:
Readings: Principles of Weather Radar and Introduction to Weather Satellite Imagery. (Supplemental Material)
Session #9: Tuesday
Topic: Final Examination
1. The student will demonstrate subjective/objective knowledge of meteorological concepts presented during the term of this course.
For questions contact Instructor: E-mail.
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