Introduction to Dynamic and Synoptic Meteorology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course unit offers an introduction to the physical mechanisms governing the atmospheric processes, which are at the basis of meteorological analysis and prediction. The students will become familiar with the main weather phenomena and with the physical variables involved in those phenomena.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course unit, students will be able to:
- provide order-of-magnitude estimates to atmospheric variables and balances;
- analyze and interpret weather maps;
- describe the dynamics of weather systems on a synoptic scale;
- make a simple weather forecast by using the circulation pattern in the mid troposphere;
- account for processes influencing the development of high and low pressure systems;
- account for the effect that the Earth's surface has on the atmospheric circulation.
- provide order-of-magnitude estimates to atmospheric variables and balances;
- analyze and interpret weather maps;
- describe the dynamics of weather systems on a synoptic scale;
- make a simple weather forecast by using the circulation pattern in the mid troposphere;
- account for processes influencing the development of high and low pressure systems;
- account for the effect that the Earth's surface has on the atmospheric circulation.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Atmospheric thermodynamics (Properties of dry air, water vapor and moist air; Hydrostatic balance and vertical profiles of atmospheric pressure; Atmospheric stability).
Saturated processes (Microphysics of clouds, homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation), clouds and precipitation.
Atmospheric dynamics (Navier-Stokes equation for a rotating reference frame; scale analysis; geostrophic approximation; scales of atmospheric motions and typical circulation patterns at the various scales; circulation and vorticity).
Planetary boundary layer (atmospheric turbulence, turbulent kinetic energy).
Meteorological systems (instruments and observation networks, surface and upper level fronts; extra-tropical cyclones; orographic effects; analysis and interpretation of meteorological charts at the ground and at upper levels; thermal convection; heat island; marine and terrestrial breeze).
Meteorological forecasting (Equations and parameters; numerical simulations; forecastability; ensemble forecast).
Saturated processes (Microphysics of clouds, homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation), clouds and precipitation.
Atmospheric dynamics (Navier-Stokes equation for a rotating reference frame; scale analysis; geostrophic approximation; scales of atmospheric motions and typical circulation patterns at the various scales; circulation and vorticity).
Planetary boundary layer (atmospheric turbulence, turbulent kinetic energy).
Meteorological systems (instruments and observation networks, surface and upper level fronts; extra-tropical cyclones; orographic effects; analysis and interpretation of meteorological charts at the ground and at upper levels; thermal convection; heat island; marine and terrestrial breeze).
Meteorological forecasting (Equations and parameters; numerical simulations; forecastability; ensemble forecast).
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to have a sound background in calculus (including ordinary and partial differential equations), classical physics (in particular mechanics and thermodynamics), and physics of the atmosphere.
Teaching methods
The course unit is mostly based on class lectures and exercises.
Teaching Resources
Wallace J.M. & Hobbs P.V., Atmospheric Science, Academic Press, 2006.
Holton J.R., An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fifth Edition, Academic Press, 2012.
Bluestein H.B., Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in midlatitudes (2 volumes), Oxford University Press, 1992.
Kalnay E., Atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Holton J.R., An Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology, Fifth Edition, Academic Press, 2012.
Bluestein H.B., Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in midlatitudes (2 volumes), Oxford University Press, 1992.
Kalnay E., Atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists in an oral discussion organized in questions and answers concerning the topics treated during the lectures. A few homework sets will be assigned during the course unit.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: knowledge of the topics treated ; during the lectures; critical reasoning; skill in the use of specialistic lexicon.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
The final assessment will be based on the following criteria: knowledge of the topics treated ; during the lectures; critical reasoning; skill in the use of specialistic lexicon.
The final score will be expressed in thirtieth.
GEO/12 - OCEANOGRAPHY AND PHYSICS OF THE ATMOSPHERE - University credits: 6
Practicals with elements of theory: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Salerno Raffaele
Professor(s)