CloseHelpPrint
Kies de Nederlandse taal
Course module: NS-MO402M
NS-MO402M
Dynamical meteorology
Course info
Course codeNS-MO402M
EC7.5
Course goals
 
  1. Reviews the basic equations that are used to describe the physical state of the atmosphere.
  2. Gives an overview of conceptual models of the structure of the atmosphere and associated “weather systems”, such as cloud and precipitation systems, jets, the polar vortex, the tropical Hadley circulation, mid-latitude cyclones and associated thermal fronts.
  3. Introduces theoretical concepts such potential temperature, potential vorticity, thermal wind balance, hydrostatic-, inertial- and baroclinic- instability, equivalent potential temperature, frontogenesis and potential vorticity inversion.
  4. Discusses waves, from sound waves to Rossby waves, and wave propagation in the atmosphere.
  5. Uses the quasi-geostrophic approximation to present a theory of the formation of mid-latitude cyclones
  6. Introduces the Q-vector and the omega-equation to give insight into the formation of large scale layered cloud and precipitation systems and to interpret the life-cycle of mid-latitude cyclones
  7. The student is required to do a case studying in which she/he formulates a hypotheses, collects appropriate data, analyses this data in order to test his/her hypothesis, and presents the results of this study in an oral presentation and a written report

Content
Introduction into the theory of motions associated with weather systems in the atmosphere. The principal processes that will be discussed are wave motions associated with compressibility, gravity and rotation, motions associated with adjustment to hydrostatic, geostrophic and thermal wind balance and motions associated with hydrodynamic instability. Potential vorticity and frontogenesis are central concepts. Examples of weather systems that will be discussed are seabreeze circulations, thunderstorms, fronts and cyclones.

 
 
CloseHelpPrint
Kies de Nederlandse taal