Syllabus: ATM OCN 650
Analysis of Atmospheric Systems (3 credits)

Course Description

This is the component of the graduate core curriculum aimed at scientifically surveying the range of the most prominent observed circulations in the earth's atmosphere. In addition, it is (a) an application bridge to dynamics courses and (b) an introduction to more advanced courses in synoptics, climate dynamics, general circulation, etc.

Through lectures and lab exercises we descriptively define, quantitatively analyze, and physically interpret key examples of weather and climate flow systems. Mid-latitude and tropical phenomena are diagnosed ranging from the interannual global circulations to baroclinic jet systems, down to the local boundary layer scale. A variety of data sources, analysis strategies, and theoretical guidelines are discussed. Prereq: Atm Ocn 610, 630 or consent of instructor. Some coordination of the course lab with weekly weather watch is planned.

Course Content

Time spent on individual topics will depend on student interests.

Space-Time Scales Overview:
1. Time series examples; practical review of analysis tools, sampling
2. Interpretation of spectra, conclusions from band pass filtering
3. Observed spectra vs. Quasi-geostrophic turbulence
4. Data distribution by type, assimilation techniques

Basic Analyses and Numerical Calculations:
1. Surface wind/pressure/friction
2. Upper wind and forces, ageostrophic dynamics
3. Kinematic tools; stream function and velocity potential
4. Upper thermal fields and processes

Baroclinic Waves:
1. Vertical layering: wind, thermal maps at different altitudes
2. Cyclone systems-modern models, global variability

Quasi-Stationary Planetary Circulations:
1. Midlatitudes, tropics, teleconnections anomaly patterns

Quasi-Geostrophic Circulation Structures:
1. Balanced wind/thermal/pressure. Potential vorticity structures
2. Review of quasi-geostrophic applications to mid-latitudes
3. Quasi-geostrophic secondary circulations,
Q vector, frontal circulations

Quasi-Geostrophic Wave Applications:
1. Importance of global potential vorticity field
2. Quasi-geostrophic instabilities: barotropic, baroclinic, transient growth modes
3. Teleconnection dynamics: vertical and horizontal Rossby wave propagation
E-P fluxes

Seasonal Cycles:
1. Global patterns of divergent, non-divergent flow
2. Diabatic forcing patterns; the Asian monsoon system
3. Vertical sections: Hadley and Walker circulations

Tropical Systems:
1. Equatorial waves: free wave types, transient convection, thermally forced motions
2. Tropical cyclones: structure and processes
3. Intra-Seasonal Oscillation: longer period, air-sea interaction role
4. ENSO: interannual coupled atmosphere-ocean system

Stratospheric Systems:
1. Seasonal zonal jets; polar vortex and ozone hole
2. Quasi-Biennial Oscillation

Concentrated Jet/Frontal Systems:
1. Vertical cross sections: thermal, wind, dynamical structures
2. Frontal systems: isentropes, absolute momentum, potential vorticity
3. Stability fields: static stability, shear stability, dry and moist symmetric stability

Mesoscale Phenomena:
1. Non-hydrostatic processes
2. Stable: gravity wave propagation and mountain waves
3. Unstable: Two-dimensional moist convection (squall line)
4. Three-dimensional moist convection: super cell 5. Rotating cells and tornadoes

Boundary Layer Flows:
1. Friction layer flows: shears, low level jets, vertical motion
2. Air-sea interaction: transfer laws, Ekman pumping, effects on atmosphere ocean
3. Boundary layer structures: shear, convective, diurnal variations

2D Field Analysis:
1. Interpolation and subjective contouring
2. Smoothing and filtering
3. Objective analysis
4. Data assimilation