ATMO 170A1: Introduction to Weather & Climate
Fall 2020 - Online - Section 103Course Description
An introduction to the science of weather and climate. Topics are selected from atmospheric composition, energy balance, wind systems, genesis of cyclones and fronts, clouds, precipitation processes, severe weather, weather forecasting and climate change. Emphasis is placed on the importance of physics, chemistry, mathematics and biological processes to understanding weather and climate change. Fundamental conservation principles of physics (e.g. energy, mass, momentum) are used to explain the specific weather phenomena that can have strong impacts on human welfare and economic livelihood. Examples of such phenomena are winter storms, heat waves, drought, floods, thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, air-sea interactions (El Nino/La Nina events), regional air pollution, ozone depletion, and extreme weather events associated with a changing climate.Course Goals
By the end of this course, students should able be to:1) Interpret online weather products that are routinely produced by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction of NOAA.
2) Critically evaluate the soundness of “weather and climate science” that appears in the mainstream media.
3) Make informed decisions on what to do about projected changes in extreme weather and climate that society faces.
Course Objectives
During this course, students will…1) Gain a basic understanding of the fundamental conservation laws of physics.
2) Gain an understanding of how the laws of physics govern the evolution of the weather and climate of the earth’s atmosphere.
3) Learn about various weather systems that affect different regions of the world.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should able be to:1) Explain how the distribution of heating of the earth by the sun and energy transfer through the atmosphere drives weather and climate change.
2) Read surface weather maps and upper-air maps, and understand the connection between surface weather and conditions aloft in midlatitudes.
3) Recognize from weather maps commonly occurring, large-scale atmospheric phenomena, including midlatitude cyclones, upper-level troughs and ridges, jet streams, and trade winds, and their impact on local weather.
4) Identify commonly occurring, high-impact mesoscale weather phenomena such as severe thunderstorms and hurricanes, and recognize the larger-scale weather conditions in which they form.
5) Identify the primary cloud types and types of precipitation, and recognize their underlying formation mechanisms in terms of concurrent weather conditions.
6) Explain the impact that weather and climate have on life, and that life has on the evolution of the atmosphere and climate.
Instructor:
Professor Steven Mullen
Email: mullen@arizona.edu
Harshbarger
Bldg Rm 234C (2nd floor, north side of building)
Office Hours: Tu Th 12:00-1:30 pm MST (Mountain Standard Time is
GMT-7) or by appointment
(Office Hours will be online only until further notice. Times
and days subject to change with advance notice.)
Teaching Assistant(s):
Mr. Andrew HoopesEmail: cahoopes@arizona.edu
Harshbarger Bldg 203 (2nd floor, east side of building, around the corner from elevator door)
Office Hours: M W 9:00-10:30 am MST (Mountain Standard Time is GMT-7) or by appointment
(Office Hours will be online only until further notice. Times and days subject to change with advance notice.)
The TA's request that you email them before coming to office hours so an exact time can be scheduled to avoid simultaneous arrival of multiple students.
Textbook:
Required Textbook
Gregory Hakim and Jerome Patoux (H&P for short.)
Weather: A Concise Introduction. First Edition.
Course materials are being delivered digitally via D2L through the Inclusive Access program. Please access the material through D2L immediately to make sure there are no issues in the delivery, and if you are having a problem, it can be addressed quickly.
You automatically have access to the course materials FREE through the first 14 days of the semester. If you do not wish to participate in Inclusive Access, you have until the add/drop day to opt-out of the program online (the opt-out procedure will be outlined in your emailed information). If you opt-out by the deadline given, access to the online content will be turned off and you will not be billed. You must take action (even if you haven’t accessed the materials) to opt-out if you do not wish to pay for the materials, and choose to source the content independently. The deadline to opt-out for 15-week courses that begin Monday, 24 August 2020 is before 9:00 pm MST Sunday, 6 September 2020.
The cost includes access to the eBook though the entire semester. You will be charged $45.42 (Spring 2020 price) for the book by the Bursar's Office unless you cancel the subscription before 9:00 pm MST Sunday, 6 August 2020. The Inclusive Access Program with D2L access is one of the cheapest available eBook options, but it might not be the cheapest eBook version. In fact, after testing the D2L interface to the Inclusive Access version of the textbook (which I find clunky), I recommend considering another eBook version. Kindle versions of the book are available at Amazon for $43.99. An Adobe eBook version (ISBN 978-1-108-27127-1) is also available through the publisher Cambridge University Press for $58.00. (Prices current as of 13 Dec. 2019 and exclude any applicable taxes.) An advantage of Kindle and Adobe eBook versions is that you have (to the best of my knowledge) no time limit on how long you can access the book. If you purchase a digital version of the book from a third party, be certain to cancel the Inclusive Access Program within the first two weeks of the semester to avoid being billed by the Bursar’s Office (before 9:00 pm MST, 6 September 2020).
For additional information on the Inclusive Access, contact uabks-inclusiveaccess@email.arizona.edu and see the FAQ page is at http://shop.arizona.edu/textbooks/Inclusive.asp.
If you would rather have a bound copy of the textbook instead of a digital version, the ISBN is 978-1-108-40465-5 for paperback and 978-1-108-41716-7 for the hardback. Hard copies are available special order from the ASUA Bookstore, from the publisher (www.cambridge.org; search "Hakim and Patoux") and from several online vendors. Amazon lists the cost of a new softcover at $71.99 and a new hardcover at $117.23. (Prices are current as of 3 August 2020, excluding taxes.) Used copies may be available online for less since the first printing of the book was January 2018. Again, if you purchase a physical copy of the book, be certain to cancel the Inclusive Access Program before the deadline to avoid being billed.
I reserved the right to assign readings from sources other than the textbook. If assigned, the readings would be announced and posted on D2L. Note that the schedule below has three such readings scheduled during the semester.
Other Course Materials:
Syllabus and Email Policy (both are
mandatory readings), ancillary readings, homework assignments
and term project, and online exams are only accessible on
D2L.
Class List Serve:
Use the class list serve for issues and questions of general interest to the entire class.
Key Dates
Required
readings from the textbook with suggested pacing.
Dates
of
quizzes are firm and are not subject to change.
This
is
an living document.
Assignments and due dates, except for the quizzes and the final exam,
are subject to change with reasonable advanced notice. Additional
readings and assignments may be added in due course. Be certain to
recheck this website at the beginning of each module and at least once
in midst of a module.
*An asterisk denotes chapters and topics with fundamental concepts that the student needs to master in order to understand the material that follows.
Module 1: Weather Data, Atmospheric Composition and Energy Transfer (81 Pages Including Ancillary Reading)
Weeks 1-2
Aug 24 - Aug 30
Chapter 01* - Weather Variables
H&P Reading: Preface and Introduction (pp. ix-xii); pp. 1-16 (20 pages)
Topics - Temperature* (Scales - Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit). Pressure* (Units - Pascals, millibars, psi). Winds*: Sustained Wind, Wind Gusts and Peak Wind. Precipitation. Weather Stations and Automated Surface Observations.
Weeks 1-2:
Aug 31 - Sept 08
Chapter 02* - Spatial Representations of Weather Data
H&P Reading: pp. 17-41 (25 pages)
Topics - Surface Station Model.* Surface Maps*. Upper-Level Maps*. Radar. Satellite Imagery.
Week 2
Ancillary material on Time Zones and Latitude-Longitude (Read with H&P Chapter 02)
Aug 31 - Sept 05
Chapter 01- Grenci and Nese (2010), "World of Weather: Fundamentals of Meteorology", 5th ed. ISBN: 978-0-7575-9426-7.
Reading: pp. 3-10 (8 pages)
Topics - Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Conversion of UTC to Local Time and vice versa. Geographic Coordinate System: Latitude-Longitude.
Posted on D2L under Content > Table of Contents > Textbook Access > Module 1: Weather Data, Atmospheric Composition and Energy.
The pdf has a password that is available in the D2L Announcements. File is copyright material. You are forbidden by law from copying, printing, posting or sharing the material in any form for use by another person outside of this course.
Extra Credit Homework Opportunity - Syllabus Knowledge (D2L Quizzes Section)
Due Date: Friday, Sept 4 by 11:59 pm
Holiday: Labor Day
Monday, Sept 7
Weeks 3-4
Assign Term Project, Phase I.
Week 3
Sept 05 - Sept 08
Chapter 03 - Our Atmosphere: Origin, Composition and Structure
H&P Reading: pp. 42-50 (9 pages)
Topics - Composition (Past, Present & Future). Vertical Structure.
Weeks 3-4
Sept 07 - Sept 14
Chapter 04* - Heat and Energy Transfer
H&P Reading: pp. 54-72 (19 pages)
Topics - Heat Transfer*: Conduction*; Convection*; Radiation*. Greenhouse Effect. Feedback Loops. Heat Imbalances*: Seasonal and Diurnal Variations. Impact of Clouds and Land-Ocean Contrasts.
Self-Assessments - Module 1
Due Date: Monday, Sept 14 by 11:59 pm MST
Quiz 1 - Available for 72 Hours
Opens: Tuesday, Sept 15, 12:00 am MST
Closes: Thursday, Sept 17, 11:59 pm am MST
Examity: You must schedule an hour to take the quiz with Examity
Module 2: Winds (66 Pages Including Ancillary Reading)
Weeks 5 - 6:
Sept 19 - Sept 26
Chapter 08* - Wind
H&P Reading: pp. 126-144 (19 pages)
Topics - Force and Acceleration*. Pressure Gradient Force* (PGF). Thermal Circulations-Land/Sea Breeze. Coriolis Force*. Geostrophic Wind*. Gradient Wind* (Curvature Effects). Surface Winds* (Friction Effects). Other Circulations: Topographic Flows.
Week 6:
Sept 27 - Oct 03
Chapter 09* - Global Wind Systems
H&P Reading: pp. 145-166 (22 pages)
Topics - The Average Atmosphere. Seasonal Averages & Differences. Single-Cell vs. Three-Cell Model*. Monsoons. El Nino/La Nina & Teleconnections.
Weeks 7-8:
Oct 03 - Oct 12
Chapter 10* - Air Masses, Front and Midlatitude Cyclones
H&P Reading: pp. 167-185 (19 pages)
Topics - Air Masses*. Fronts*. Midlatitude Cyclones*.
Weeks 7-8
Supplementary PowerPoint Presentation (to be posted) on How to Analyze Surface Weather Maps
Self-Assessments - Module 2
Due Date: Monday, Oct 12 by 11:59 pm MST
Quiz 2 - Available for 72 Hours
Opens: Tuesday, Oct 13, 12:00 am MST
Closes: Thursday, Oct 15, 11:59 pm MST
Examity: You must schedule a time interval to take the quiz with Examity
Module 3: Moisture and Precipitation (60 Pages Including Ancillary Reading) and Optics
Weeks 9-10
Oct 16 - Oct 23
Chapter 05* - Water
H&P Reading: pp. 75-89 (15 pages)
Topics - Water Cycle. Saturation*. Phase Changes of Water*; Latent Heat.* Measures of Atmospheric Moisture*.
Weeks 10-11
Oct 23 - Oct 30
Chapter 06* - Cloud Formation
H&P Reading: pp. 90-116 (27 pages)
Topics - Adiabatic Processes*. Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate*. Moisture Adiabatic Lapse Rate*. Vertical Stability* & Convection*. Fog and Clouds.
Weeks 11-12
Oct 31 - Nov 06
Chapter 07* - Precipitation
H&P Reading: pp. 117-125 (9 pages)
Topics - Warm and Cold Clouds. Collision & Coalescence. Ice-Crystal Growth*. Precipitation Types*.
Study ''Questions for Review'' at the end of Chapter 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 16, 17
Weeks 11-12
Extra Credit Material on Atmospheric Optics (Read after H&P Chapter 07)
Oct 31 - Nov 06
Chapter 17 - Aguado & Burt (2012), "Understanding Weather and Climate", 6th ed. ISBN: 978-0-321-76963-3.
Reading: pp. 518-526. (9 pages)
Topics - Scattering: White Clouds, Blue Skies & Red Sunsets. Refraction: Twilight, Twinkling Stars & Mirages. Dispersion & Reflection: Halos, Sun Dogs & Pillars; Rainbows.
Posted on D2L under Content > Table of Contents > Textbook Access > Module 3: Moisture.
The pdf has a password that is available in the D2L Announcements.
File is copyright material. You are forbidden by law from copying, printing, posting or sharing the material in any form for use by another person outside of this course.
Self-Assessments - Module 3
Due Date: Monday, Nov 09 by 11:59 pm MST
Quiz 3 - Available for 72 Hours
Opens: Tuesday, Nov 10, 12:00 am MST
Closes: Thursday, Nov 12, 11:59 pm MST
Examity: You must schedule a time interval to take the quiz with Examity
Module 4: High-Impact Weather and Climate Change (42 Pages Reading)
Week 13
Nov 13 - Nov 19
Chapter 11 - Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
H&P Reading: pp. 188-200 (13 pages)
Topics - Air Mass Thunderstorms. Severe Thunderstorms. Lightning and Thunder. Supercells and Tornadoes.
Week 13-14
Nov 19 - Nov 25
Chapter 12 - Tropical Cyclones
H&P Reading: pp. 201-212 (12 pages)
Topics - Tropical Cyclone Climatology, Structure and Development.
Weeks 14-15
Nov 30 - Dec 04
Chapter 14 - Air Pollution
H&P Reading: pp. 227-233 (7 pages)
Topics - Atmospheric Pollutants. Winds, Stability and Dispersion. Air Pollution Weather.
Weeks 15-16
Dec 02 - Dec 06
Chapter 15 - Climate Change and Weather
H&P Reading: Pages 234-243. (10 pages)
Review Box...
Box 4.5 - Feedback Loops (Review from Module 1)
Topics - Past and Future Climates. Changing Atmospheric Composition. A Warmer Future, An Altered Water Cycle, Changing Wind Systems and Cyclones. The Forecast.
Self-Assessments - Module 4
Due Date: Sunday, Dec 06 by 11:59 pm MST
Quiz 4 - Available for 72 Hours
Opens: Monday, Dec 07, 12:00 am MST
Closes: Wednesday, Dec 09, 11:59 pm MST
Examity: You must schedule a time interval to take the quiz with Examity
NO FINAL EXAM
The term project serves as the summative assessment for the course.
1
Weeks 7-8
Ancillary material on Vorticity, Divergence and Vertical Motion (Read with H&P Chapter 10)
Oct 03 - Oct 12
Chapter 12 - Ahrens and Hanson, "Meteorology Today", 11th ed. ISBN: 978-1-305-11358-9.
Reading: pp. 337-342 (6 pages)
Topics - Rotation Rate and Vorticity. Conservation of Angular Momentum. Vorticity Change, Divergence and Vertical Velocity. Vorticity Advection and Cyclone Development.
Posted on D2L under Content > Table of Contents > Textbook Access > Module 2: Air Motions.
The pdf has a password that is available in the D2L Announcements.
File is copyright material. You are forbidden by law from copying, printing, posting or sharing the material in any form for use by another person outside of this course.
Week 11
Mar 22 - Apr 3 or longer
Chapter 13 - Weather Forecasting
H&P Reading: pp. 213-226
Topics - Numerical Weather Prediction; Uncertainty, Chaos and Limits of Weather Prediction.