Syllabus: ATM OCN 773
Boundary Layer Meteorology (3 credits)

Course Description

This course surveys the phenomena and explains turbulence processes in the boundary layers of the lower atmosphere and upper ocean. In so doing, it provides insight into weather and climate processes involving the coupling of the atmosphere with the ocean or land.

People live in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). This lower tenth of the atmosphere experiences strong vertical changes in temperature, winds and humidity and often strong time changes during each diurnal cycle. These changes are created by turbulence transports in the boundary layer. The ABL modulates the climate by controlling the flux of moisture, energy, momentum, mass, and chemicals from the surface to the troposphere, and by reflecting solar radiation from cumulus and stratocumulus clouds. Applications include air quality, wind energy, crops, and pollen transport.

The oceanic boundary layer (OBL) is roughly the upper 100m of the ocean. It has pronounced vertical structures and horizontal variations which are important for ocean circulations, climate variability, and biological systems of the ocean. Its turbulence is described by nearly the same dynamical processes as for the atmosphere Prereq: ATM OCN 311, 340, or 610, 630.

Course Content

Prerequisites: The student should be thoroughly familiar with basic thermodynamics and dynamics as they apply to the atmosphere. These requirements are satisfied by the junior year core or first semester of the graduate core (ATM OCN 610/630), or equivalent, or by knowledge of the material in the texts by Holton (Chapters 1 5, Intro. to Dynamical Meteorology) and by Wallace and Hobbs (Intro. to Atmospheric Science). Undergraduates should discuss the course with Prof. Young before registering. Course material will include a balance of Young's lectures and the textbook.