ATM 110 Spring 2008

Week	Lecture Topics	Laboratory Topics
1	Problems of forecasting Observing systems: In situ& remote  Surface Obs RAOBs Radar WSR-88D Profilers	Explore data web sites, METARS
2	Observing systems: Satellites: types, uses	- Radars - Catalogue satellite types, orbits and instruments.
3	Objective Analysis Vertical analyses: Hydrostatic computations Skew-T log-P diagram	- Mesoscale models - Model products
4	Moisture variables Stability indices	- Sounding analysis, static stability
5	Horizontal analyses: Surface and upper air maps Fronts, cloud types, precipitation	- Find and explore analyses - examine thickness, vorticity, recipitable  water, LI and K index maps
6	Wind, pressure and force balances Horizontal pressure gradient Coriolis force Centrifugal force Balanced winds Conservation of Angular Momentum	- compute geostrophic winds - compute gradient winds - Rotational properties and kinematics
7	Derived quantities: Advection Divergence Vorticity Vertical velocity	- Streamlines and trajectories
8	Cyclogenesis Fronts	- Identifying regions of thermal advection. - Quantifying estimates of vorticity advection
9	Local severe weather Thunderstorms Lightning Tornadoes Dry line	- Comparing vertical velocity patterns with thermal and vorticity advections - Phase velocities and Rossby waves
10	Tropical Systems  Review	- Comparing analyzed fields with Satellite images