ATS
740 - Advanced
Mesoscale Meteorology
This
course will overview cloud processes, beyond the scales of cloud
physics, up to and including mesoscale processes that maintain
and develop clouds, and mesoscale circulations that result from
cloud systems. Therefore, an overview of moist dynamics will be
provided from both an analytic and modeling perspective. As dynamic
and thermodynamic processes are reviewed, topics related to various
cloud types and cloud systems will be provided. This class will
also provide students in graduate level atmospheric science a background
cloud-scale processes, as well as an understanding of the dynamic
and thermodynamic aspects of clouds in concert with cloud-physics
and mesoscale meteorology.
Course
Syllabus:
1. Overview:
a) Course Description
b) Introduction: Clouds (types, formation, maintenance, etc.)
c) Microphysics and the synoptic scale
d) Cloud parameters
2. Governing Dynamic Equations:
a) Dynamic equations for moist convection
b) Introduction to stability
c) Scale analysis
d) Non-hydrostatic conditions
3. Moist Thermodynamics:
a) Thermodynamic energy equation
b) Conservative variables; phase changes
4. Cloud Resolving Modeling:
a) Model construction
b) Parametrizations: Microphysics (bulk)
c) Averaging
5.
Influence on Environment & Clouds
a) Q1 and Q2
b) Momentum flux
6.
Convection & Parcel
Stability:
a) Slantwise
b) Vertical
7. Moist Convective Systems; Dynamics of Clouds:
a) Rainbands; isentropic flow
b) Thunderstorms; deep, moist convection
c) Mesoscale convective systems
d) Tropical storms
8.
Observations of Clouds:
a) Satellite data analysis
b) Radar
c) In situ; aircraft
d) Ground-based instrumentation
e) Assimilation of cloud observations
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